Abstract
The first clinical administration of growth hormone was reported 60 years ago, using extract of human cadaverous pituitary glands. The authentic recombinant growth hormone was launched 30 years ago which allowed its potentially unlimited production and initiated research of novel indications.
Currently, growth hormone is an approved medication in seven therapeutic areas, six in paediatric medicine and one in adults. In the Czech Republic, growth hormone used to be administered to 2058 children and adolescents in 2016.
As the schedule of daily SC injections may be burdening for some families, the manufacturers aim to develop a long-acting molecule for once weekly or even less frequent administration, with maintained optimal efficacy. Despite persistent difficulties, several long-acting molecules are at different phases of clinical trials.
The recent genetic discoveries opened new insights into the regulation of human growth, highlighting the role of growth plate chondrocyte as the final effector of growth. This leads to stepwise re-classification of growth disorders and may directly impact indications for growth hormone therapy according to aetiological diagnosis within the oncoming years.