CompletedNot Applicable

Growth Hormone, IGF-1 and Medical Treatment in Acromegaly: Are There Effects on Gut Hormone Physiology and Postprandial Substrate Metabolism?

Belgium21 participantsStarted 2014-06-01

Plain-language summary

Acromegaly is a rare hormonal disorder leading to increased morbidity and mortality. In the vast majority of cases, a pituitary somatotroph cell adenoma causes excess growth hormone (GH) secretion, leading to hepatic insulin-like-growth factor 1 (IGF-1) hypersecretion. Both the disease as well as its treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogs (LA-SMSA) and/or pegvisomant affect glucose and lipid metabolism, possibly contributing to increased cardiovascular risk. In this pilot study, the investigators want to explore insulin sensitivity, postprandial gut hormone response, lipid handling and adipocytokine profile in the following 4 groups: * controlled acromegalic patients on LA-SMSA (group 1) * controlled acromegalic patients on combination treatment of LA-SMSA and pegvisomant (group 2) * acromegalic patients without need for medical therapy after surgery (group 3) * healthy control subjects (group 4) Furthermore, a longitudinal exploration will be performed in uncontrolled acromegalic patients (i.e. patients with serum IGF-1 levels above age-specific thresholds and/or symptoms due to active acromegaly (excessive sweating , arthralgia)) on LA-SMSA monotherapy (group 5). In this group, insulin sensitivity, postprandial gut hormone response, lipid handling and adipocytokine profile will be explored before introducing pegvisomant and three months after normalisation of IGF-1 levels. The investigators hypothesize that lipid and glucose handling will be less efficient in the controlled acromegalic patients on LA-SMSA than in controlled patients on combination therapy or after surgery, and that there will be no difference in substrate metabolism between healthy controls and controlled acromegalic patients on combination treatment or after surgery. Further, they hypothesize that introducing pegvisomant in uncontrolled acromegalic patients will improve their postprandial lipid and glucose handling.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of acromegaly over 1 year ago, no changes in treatment schedule since at least 6 months (groups 1-3 and 5) OR healthy volunteer without diagnosis of acromegaly (group 4) * Patient is willing to participate and has signed the informed consent * Age \> 18 years and \< 80 years * Body Mass Index 18-40 kg/m² Exclusion Criteria: * Biochemistry: liver function tests \> 3x ULN; HbA1C \> 58 mmol/mol * All untreated endocrine disorders including uncontrolled diabetes mellitus type 2 (i.e. HbA1C \> 58 mmol/mol) * Bariatric surgery; malabsorptive syndromes; hepatic or renal failure * Current medication use: insulin, metformin, sulfonylurea, fibrates, incretin mimetics, dopamine agonists (for all but insulin, participation is allowed after a 2- week wash-out period) * Abuse of alcohol or drugs * Weight changes \> 10% of body weight during preceding 12 months

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

change in insulin sensitivity

Timeframe: before start of pegvisomant and 3 months after normalisation of IGF-1 after start of pegvisomant in group 5

insulin sensitivity

Timeframe: At enrollment in groups 1-4

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02152124

SponsorUniversity Hospital, Ghent

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2017-08-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Acromegaly trials