A study of chromosomal aberrations and chromosomal fragility after recombinant growth hormone treatment.

Abstract

Increased chromosomal rearrangements and chromosomal fragility have been previously observed in lymphocytes of children treated with human GH, implying that treatment could predispose to malignancy. Twenty-four children with classic GH deficiency, neurosecretory GH dysfunction, and Turner syndrome were treated with recombinant human GH (0.3 mg x kg(-1) x wk(-1)). Metaphase cells were assessed for spontaneous chromosomal and chromatid aberrations at baseline and 6 mo into treatment. There were no significant differences in aberrations between baseline and the 6-mo samples. However, the mean frequency of chromatid-type aberrations on a per cell basis was significantly higher than at baseline, 0.0088 versus 0.0064 aberrations per cell (p < 0.024). Two patients contributed inordinately to this increase. A third sample from these two patients was almost identical to their baseline samples. Cells were also irradiated in vitro (3 Gy) to assess chromosomal fragility. After irradiation, no patient showed a significant difference for any aberration type, although there was a significantly lower frequency of ring chromosomes on a per cell basis in the 6-mo samples (p < 0.001). We find no evidence that GH therapy influences spontaneous chromosomal aberrations or chromosomal fragility.

• Authors: A H Slyper, J D Shadley, P van Tuinen, S M Richton, R G Hoffmann, D T Wyatt
• Journal: Pediatric research (Pediatr Res) Vol. 47 Issue 5 Pg. 634-9 (May 2000) ISSN: 0031-3998 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10813589 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Human Growth Hormone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Cells, Cultured
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Chromatids (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Chromosome Aberrations
• Chromosome Fragility
• Chromosomes, Human (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Female
• Growth Disorders (blood, drug therapy)
• Human Growth Hormone (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Lymphocytes (blood, cytology, drug effects, radiation effects)
• Male
• Metaphase (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Resting Phase, Cell Cycle (radiation effects)
• Turner Syndrome (blood, drug therapy)