Clinical studies with GHRH in man.

GHRH was isolated from two GHRH-secreting pancreatic tumors which resulted in clinical acromegaly. Over 98% of acromegalic patients have a pituitary adenoma; however, acromegaly may occasionally result from ectopic or eutopic GHRH secretion. Administration of GHRH to normal adults stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion; it may also stimulate GH release in some adults with GH deficiency in childhood and in a majority of GH-deficient children. Continuous infusion of GHRH to normal men stimulates GH secretion which augments naturally occurring GH pulses. GHRH is effective when administered subcutaneously and intranasally, but requires 30- and 300-fold higher doses, respectively. Intermittent subcutaneous GHRH therapy promotes acceleration of linear growth in GH-deficient children and appears promising as a treatment for these children.