INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR-I - CLINICAL-STUDIES

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has endocrine, autocrine and para crine properties. Receptors for IGF-I are present on virtually all cel l types but are located mainly on cells of mesenchymal origin, such as fibroblasts, chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Growth hormone (GH)-depend ent and GH-independent actions of IGF-I have been implicated in normal and abnormal bone growth, diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, cancer, th yroid disease and hematological diseases. The availability of recombin ant human IGF-I (rhlGF-I) has led to new treatments for GH-resistant L aron dwarfism and certain diseases associated with severe insulin resi stance. IGF-I has recently been investigated as a neurotrophic factor. Phase II efficacy trials with patients with neurological disease such as traumatic brain injury, myotonic dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have shown that rhlGF-I has efficacy on various outcome par ameters. Treatment with rhlGF-I may result in reversible side effects of which increased heart rate, papilledema, ophthalmologic and intracr anial hypertension, facial and generalized edema, and weight gain are noteworthy.