Sermorelin
Sermorelin was initially developed as a diagnostic tool for GH
deficiency [23]. Sermorelin increased GH release rapidly and
specifically in healthy children, but not in those with GH deficiency,
compared to existing provocative tests, resulting in approval for this
indication by the FDA in 1990 [24]. Subsequently, the 6-month
treatment with sermorelin showed a significant increase in GH release
and growth speed in children with GH deficiency [25,26], and
preliminary data suggested the efficacy of treatment with sermorelin for
36 months [24]. Based on these findings, sermorelin was approved by
the FDA for the treatment of idiopathic GH deficiency in children with
failed growth in 1997.
Sermorelin has also been tested in other clinical indications, namely,
loss of muscle mass in the elderly with GH insufficiency, lipodystrophy
in HIV-infected patients, and impaired cognition in the elderly
[27]. The results looked promising, but the development has not yet
been completed. It was reported. Also, sermorelin was discontinued by
EMD Serono in 2008, due to problems with the supply of the active
ingredient.