Description

Acromegaly is a rare and severe disease caused by an increased and autonomous secretion of growth hormone (GH), thus resulting in high circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Comorbidities and mortality rate are closely related to the disease duration. However, in most cases achieving biochemical control means reducing or even normalizing mortality and restoring normal life expectancy. Current treatment for acromegaly includes neurosurgery, radiotherapy and medical therapy. Transsphenoidal surgery often represents the recommended first-line treatment. First-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) are the drug of choice in patients with persistent disease after surgery and are suggested as first-line treatment for those ineligible for surgery. However, only about half of patients treated with octreotide (or lanreotide) achieve biochemical control. Other available drugs approved for clinical use are the second-generation SRL pasireotide, the dopamine agonist cabergoline, and the GH-receptor antagonist pegvisomant.

In the present paper, we revised the current literature about the management of acromegaly, aiming to highlight the most relevant and recent therapeutic strategies proposed for patients resistant to first-line medical therapy. Furthermore, we discussed the potential molecular mechanisms involved in the variable response to first-generation SRLs. Due to the availability of different medical therapies, the choice for the most appropriate drug can be currently based also on the peculiar clinical characteristics of each patient. Excess serum growth hormone (GH) induces insulin resistance leading to reduced uptake of glucose in peripheral tissues, gluconeogenesis in the liver and lipolysis and finally an increase in the blood glucose levels. We report a case where a 54-year-old woman presented with uncontrolled blood glucose levels since 5 years. On examination, she had signs and symptoms consistent with acromegaly including recurrent headaches, sleep apnea, soft tissue swelling, enlargements of the feet, hands, ears and lips, mandibular overgrowth, forehead protrusio and teeth spacing. She was on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) for 12 years before she visited our hospital, but the blood glucose levels have been uncontrolled for the past 5 years with recurrent hyperglycaemic and occasional hypoglycaemic events. She underwent pituitary surgery for GH producing tumor and 2 years post surgery, we had to stop all the medications for the diabetes mellitus. This indicates that even long-standing diabetes mellitus can resolve in some patients with acromegaly.

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With Regards
Benny
Journal Coordinator
Journal of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility