Developments in the Management of Growth Hormone Deficiency: Clinical Utility of Somapacitan

Growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy for growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children and adults has for over 25 years, until recently, been administered as daily injections. This daily treatment regimen often incurs a burden to patients and caregivers, leading to high rates of non-adherence and, consequently, decreased treatment efficacy outcomes. To address this shortcoming, long-acting growth hormones (LAGHs) have been developed with the aim of reducing the burden of daily injections, thereby potentially improving treatment adherence and outcomes. Somapacitan (Sogroya) (Novo Nordisk, Bagsværd, Denmark) is a LAGH currently approved for the treatment of adult and childhood GHD (AGHD and CGHD, respectively) in several countries. Other LAGHs, such as somatrogon (Ngenla) (Pfizer, New York, United States) and lonapegsomatropin/TransCon GH (Skytrofa) (Ascendis Pharma, Copenhagen, Denmark), are also currently approved and available for the treatment of CGHD in several countries. In this review, we will consider the method of protraction, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), efficacy, and safety results of somapacitan in adult and pediatric trials and how these characteristics differ from those of the other aforementioned LAGHs. Additionally, the administration of somapacitan and timing of measurement of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels are summarized. Information on administration, advice on missed doses, and clinical guidelines are discussed, as well as identifying which patients are suitable for somapacitan therapy, and how to monitor and adjust dosing whilst on therapy.