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Growth hormone therapy does not induce cancer

Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism volume 2, pages 532–533 (2006)Cite this article

The introduction of recombinant human (rh) growth hormone (GH) has led to a widespread increase in the clinical use of and indications for GH replacement therapy. Children treated with rhGH include those with hypothalamic disease and Turner's syndrome; those treated with cranial irradiation; those who are small for their gestational age; and those with normal variant short stature. In adults, GH deficiency usually occurs after treatment of pituitary tumors, but is now increasingly seen in adult survivors of childhood malignancy. Adult GH deficiency is associated with impaired quality of life, metabolic changes, reduced bone mass, and altered body composition. Patients with hypopituitarism and untreated GH deficiency also have an increased mortality rate, predominantly from cardiovascular disease. GH replacement has beneficial effects on these symptoms, although no data exist for the effects of GH therapy on mortality. GH replacement is associated with few adverse consequences, but one issue of major concern is whether GH therapy could have a role in the development of cancer.

The role of the GH–IGF1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) axis in tumorigenesis has been studied extensively. GH is a mitogen, and there is substantial in vitro evidence to support its role in the development of neoplasia; however, animal models of tumorigenesis suggest permissive, rather than causative, roles for both GH and IGF1. Epidemiologic evidence links high-normal or excess levels of GH and IGF1 with an increased risk of prostate and premenopausal breast cancer.1

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  1. the Vice Dean of the Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

    Michael C Sheppard

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  1. Michael C Sheppard
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Correspondence to Michael C Sheppard.

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The author declares no competing financial interests.

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Sheppard, M. Growth hormone therapy does not induce cancer. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2, 532–533 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpendmet0294

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