Mecasermin

Mecasermin is a synthetic form of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone that stimulates growth in the body. It is used to treat growth failure in children with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency or with growth hormone (GH) gene deletion who have developed neutralizing antibodies to growth hormone.

Medical Uses

Mecasermin is used to treat growth failure in children with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency or with growth hormone gene deletion who have developed neutralizing antibodies to growth hormone. It is not used for growth hormone deficiency, malnutrition, hypothyroidism, or long-term treatment of pediatric patients with growth failure due to genetically confirmed Prader-Willi syndrome.

Pharmacology

Mecasermin is a recombinant DNA-derived drug that is identical in sequence to naturally occurring human insulin-like growth factor-1. It binds to the IGF-1 receptor which is present on many cell types in many tissues. This binding promotes cell growth and multiplication, as well as cell survival.

Side Effects

Common side effects of mecasermin include hypoglycemia, injection site reactions, lipohypertrophy, tonsillar hypertrophy, and snoring. Serious side effects may include hypoglycemia, intracranial hypertension, and allergic reactions.

History

Mecasermin was approved for medical use in the United States in 2005. It is marketed under the brand name Increlex by Ipsen.

See Also

• Insulin-like growth factor 1
• Growth hormone
• Prader-Willi syndrome