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PEGylated Protein Drugs: Basic Science and Clinical Applications pp 187–203Cite as

PEGylation of human growth hormone: strategies and properties

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Part of the book series: Milestones in Drug Therapy ((MDT))

Abstract

Recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) is a well characterized molecule with broad acceptance as a treatment for growth hormone deficiencies (GHD). However, treatment with hGH requires daily injections due to the drug’s short duration of action. Many groups have focused on PEGylation of hGH as a means to extend its half-life and generate less frequent dosage forms. This chapter provides a review of the preclinical and clinical results obtained from the many approaches directed towards modification of hGH with PEG. The chapter will describe a historical progression of PEGylation strategies and results. The first half of the chapter will discuss initial studies that utilized multiple 5 kDa PEG attachments for extension of hGH half-life and the subsequent development of a PEGylated hGH receptor antagonist, pegvisomant, a successful therapy for acromegaly. The latter half of the chapter will summarize more recent and current work focusing on site selective mono-PEGylation of hGH.

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  1. Pfizer Inc, 700 Chesterfield Parkway West, Chesterfield, MO, 63017, USA

    Rory F. Finn

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  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy

    Francesco M. Veronese

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Finn, R.F. (2009). PEGylation of human growth hormone: strategies and properties. In: Veronese, F.M. (eds) PEGylated Protein Drugs: Basic Science and Clinical Applications. Milestones in Drug Therapy. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8679-5_11

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