Treatment of growth hormone deficiency with long-acting growth hormones in children, adolescents and adults: Clinical evidence and practical considerations
Abstract
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a rare endocrine disorder affecting both children and adults that may occur in isolation or as part of multihormonal hypopituitarism. Recombinant human growth hormone (GH) administered as daily injections has long been the standard of care and improves growth, body composition and quality of life. However, daily administration is associated with a substantial treatment burden and adherence is frequently suboptimal, particularly in children and adolescents. Long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) formulations have been developed to reduce injection frequency and potentially support long-term adherence. Three once-weekly LAGH products are currently available in the EU: lonapegsomatropin, somatrogon and somapacitan. Clinical trials have demonstrated non-inferiority of LAGHs compared with daily GH in children in terms of annualised height velocity. Safety profiles were consistent with those of daily GH. This review summarises the clinical evidence for LAGH formulations, including patient preference and the impact on metabolism, bone health and muscle strength. With a focus on somapacitan, currently the only LAGH approved in France for both children and adults, the review discusses practical aspects of dosing and monitoring across age groups and addresses use in special populations and during the transition period from paediatric to adult care. Ongoing follow-up and real-world studies will further clarify long-term safety, adherence and metabolic outcomes.
Related
- Neuropeptide T2A-GAL4 knock-ins illustrate practical considerations for interpreting GAL4 reporter patterns in Drosophila
- Building better citation practices in public health research: Practical considerations for student researchers, from source discovery to crafting and positioning claims
- Anifrolumab, a potential treatment for ADA2 deficiency
- Genetic GHSR deficiency and LEAP2 treatment enhance the glucose-lowering effects of liraglutide in male mice in a metabolic state-dependent manner
- Distinct inflammatory marker profiles of adolescents and young adults among the HIV risk, infection, and treatment spectrum.
BibTeX
@article{linglart2026treatment,
title = {{Treatment of growth hormone deficiency with long-acting growth hormones in children, adolescents and adults: Clinical evidence and practical considerations}},
author = {Agnès Linglart and Régis Coutant and Véronique Kerlan and Marc Nicolino and Michel Polak and Gérald Raverot and Patrice Rodien and Thierry Brue},
journal = {Annales d'Endocrinologie = Annals of Endocrinology},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.ando.2026.103093},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05768446v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Treatment of growth hormone deficiency with long-acting growth hormones in children, adolescents and adults: Clinical evidence and practical considerations
AU - Agnès Linglart
AU - Régis Coutant
AU - Véronique Kerlan
AU - Marc Nicolino
AU - Michel Polak
AU - Gérald Raverot
AU - Patrice Rodien
AU - Thierry Brue
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/29
JO - Annales d'Endocrinologie = Annals of Endocrinology
DO - 10.1016/j.ando.2026.103093
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05768446v1
AB - Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a rare endocrine disorder affecting both children and adults that may occur in isolation or as part of multihormonal hypopituitarism. Recombinant human growth hormone (GH) administered as daily injections has long been the standard of care and improves growth, body composition and quality of life. However, daily administration is associated with a substantial treatment burden and adherence is frequently suboptimal, particularly in children and adolescents. Long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) formulations have been developed to reduce injection frequency and potentially support long-term adherence. Three once-weekly LAGH products are currently available in the EU: lonapegsomatropin, somatrogon and somapacitan. Clinical trials have demonstrated non-inferiority of LAGHs compared with daily GH in children in terms of annualised height velocity. Safety profiles were consistent with those of daily GH. This review summarises the clinical evidence for LAGH formulations, including patient preference and the impact on metabolism, bone health and muscle strength. With a focus on somapacitan, currently the only LAGH approved in France for both children and adults, the review discusses practical aspects of dosing and monitoring across age groups and addresses use in special populations and during the transition period from paediatric to adult care. Ongoing follow-up and real-world studies will further clarify long-term safety, adherence and metabolic outcomes.
SN - 0003-4266
SN - 2213-3941
ER -