Efficacy and safety of pegvisomant in patients with acromegaly – A real life perspective from a tertiary center

Introduction: Pegvisomant is a growth hormone (GH) receptor antagonist used as second-line medical therapy in patients with acromegaly. Evidence suggests that pegvisomant is an effective and safe option, that can be used in monotherapy or in association with somatostatin analogs (SSAs). Methods: Clinical files of patients with acromegaly treated with pegvisomant between 2005 and 2023 in a single center were reviewed. Clinical, biochemical and imaging data were collected. Biochemical response was defined as IGF-11.3ULN. SSA’s were added in all three, resulting in subsequent biochemical response in one patient. Tumor growth was not observed in any patient during pegvisomant use (mean time 6.3±5.2 years). Conclusion: Pegvisomant is an effective and safe drug in the treatment of acromegaly patients resistant to SSAs. In patients with more aggressive tumors resistant to pegvisomant, combination of pegvisomant and SSA may further reduce IGF-1 levels and lead to adequate disease control.