Recombinant human IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) therapy: where do we stand today?

Recombinant human (rh) IGF-1 has been available for therapy since the 1980s and has been commercially available for over 5 y, yet the role of rhIGF-1 in treating children with short stature remains ambiguous. This is consequent to the inherent difficulty in defining criteria for IGF-1 deficiency, and in determining the outcome of rhIGF-1 therapy in terms of growth rate and adult height. The rationale for its efficacy compared with rhGH (recombinant human growth hormone) for treatment of short stature is still widely debated. Additionally, adverse events such as increased intracranial pressure and hypoglycemia are of therapeutic concern. The goal of this article is to review published data that describes the impact of IGF-1 therapy in treatment of short stature and other growth disorders.