Active Malignancy
There is an increased risk of malignancy progression with somatropin treatment in patients with active malignancy [see Contraindications (4)]. Any preexisting malignancy should be inactive and its treatment complete prior to instituting therapy with HUMATROPE. Discontinue HUMATROPE if there is evidence of recurrent activity.
Risk of Second Neoplasm in Pediatric Patients
An increased risk of a second neoplasm in pediatric cancer survivors who were treated with radiation to the brain/head and who developed subsequent GH deficiency and were treated with somatropin has been reported. Intracranial tumors, in particular meningiomas, were the most common of these second neoplasms. In adults, it is unknown whether there is any relationship between somatropin replacement therapy and CNS tumor recurrence. Monitor all patients receiving HUMATROPE who have a history of GH deficiency secondary to an intracranial neoplasm for progression or recurrence of the tumor.
New Malignancy During Treatment
Because pediatric patients with certain rare genetic causes of short stature have an increased risk of developing malignancies, thoroughly consider the risks and benefits of starting HUMATROPE in these patients. If HUMATROPE is initiated, carefully monitor patients for development of neoplasms.
Monitor all patients receiving HUMATROPE carefully for increased growth, or potential malignant changes, of preexisting nevi. Advise patients/caregivers to report marked changes in behavior, onset of headaches, vision disturbances and/or changes in skin pigmentation or changes in the appearance of pre-existing nevi.
Pediatric Patients
Growth Failure Due to Inadequate Secretion of Endogenous Growth Hormone
In an uncontrolled open-label study, 314 treatment-naive children aged >2 years who had GH deficiency were treated with HUMATROPE (0.06 mg/kg 3 times per week) for up to 8 years. Adverse reactions of special interest are reported in Table 2.
Table 2: Adverse Reactions of Special Interest Occurring in Humatrope-Treated Patients with Growth Failure Due to Inadequate Secretion of Endogenous Growth Hormone in an Open-label Study for Up to 8 Years
|
|
| Adverse Reaction | HUMATROPEa (n=314) |
| Hypothyroidism
| 25%
|
| Allergic reaction
| 11%
|
| Arthralgia
| 6%
|
| Bone disorder
| 4%
|
| Edema
| 4%
|
| Injection site pain/reaction
| 4%
|
| Neoplasm/tumor
| 2%
|
| Cardiovascular disorders
| 1%
|
| Thyroid disorders
| 1%
|
| Intracranial hypertension
| 0%b |
Short Stature Associated with Turner Syndrome
In a randomized, concurrent-controlled (untreated), open-label study until attainment of adult height, the adverse reactions of special interest occurring in 74 patients treated with Humatrope at dose 0.3 mg/kg/week (mean duration 4.1 years) and in 62 untreated patients (mean duration 3.7 years) are reported in Table 3. A similar increase in otitis media was observed in an 18-month placebo-controlled study.
Table 3: Adverse Reactions of Special Interest Occurring in Patients with Turner Syndrome in an Open-label Study Until Attainment of Adult Height
| Untreated (n=62) | HUMATROPE (n=74) |
| Surgical procedure
| 27%
| 45%
|
| Otitis media
| 26%
| 43%
|
| Ear disorders
| 5%
| 18%
|
Idiopathic Short Stature
Adverse reactions occurring in a randomized, placebo-controlled study of HUMATROPE treatment (0.22 mg/kg/week) until attainment of adult height (mean duration of HUMATROPE treatment 3.7 years, mean duration of placebo treatment 3.3 years) are reported in Table 4. Mean fasting serum insulin concentration increased by 10% in the HUMATROPE treatment group at the end of treatment relative to baseline, but remained within the normal reference range.
Table 4: Adverse Reactions Occurring in Patients with Idiopathic Short Stature Treated with HUMATROPE in a Randomized Placebo-controlled Study
| Placebo (n=31) | HUMATROPE (n=37) |
| Scoliosis
| 13%
| 19%
|
| Otitis media
| 7%
| 16%
|
| Hyperlipidemia
| 3%
| 8%
|
| Gynecomastia
| 3%
| 5%
|
| Hip pain
| 0
| 3%
|
| Arthralgia
| 3%
| 11%
|
| Arthrosis
| 7%
| 11%
|
| Myalgia
| 13%
| 24%
|
| Hypertension
| 0
| 3%
|
In a dose-response study (239 patients treated for 2 years), among HUMATROPE dose groups [0.24 mg/kg/week (n=78), 0.37 mg/kg/week (n=83), 0.24 mg/kg/week for the first year and 0.37 mg/kg/week thereafter (n=78)], mean fasting blood glucose, mean glycosylated hemoglobin, and the incidence of elevated fasting blood glucose concentrations were similar. One patient developed glucose intolerance and high serum HbA1c.
Short Stature or Growth Failure in SHOX Deficiency
Adverse reactions of special interest from a 2-year randomized, open-label study with HUMATROPE (0.35 mg/kg/wk) compared to no treatment are presented in Table 5. During the 2-year study period, the proportion of patients who had at least one IGF-I concentration greater than 2.0 SD above the age- and gender-appropriate mean was 10 of 27 (37%) for the HUMATROPE-treated group vs. 0 of 24 patients (0%) for the untreated group. The proportion of patients who had at least one IGFBP-3 concentration greater than 2.0 SD above the age and gender appropriate mean was 16 of 27 (59%) for the HUMATROPE treated group vs. 7 of 24 (29%) for the untreated group.
Table 5: Adverse Reactions of Special Interest Occurring in Patients with SHOX Deficiency By Treatment Group in an Open-label Study
|
| Untreated (n=25) | HUMATROPE (n=27) |
| Arthralgia
| 8%
| 11%
|
| Gynecomastiaa | 0%
| 8%
|
| Excessive number of cutaneous nevi
| 0%
| 7%
|
| Scoliosis
| 0%
| 47%
|
Small for Gestational Age (SGA) with No Catch-up Growth by Age 2-4 Years
In a 2-year, multicenter, randomized study, 193 pediatric patients were treated with 2 different HUMATROPE treatment regimens: a fixed dose of 0.067 mg/kg/day (FHD group) or an individually adjusted dose regimen (IAD group; starting dose 0.035 mg/kg/day which could be increased as early as Month 3 to 0.067 mg/kg/day based on a validated growth prediction model). Reported adverse reactions included: common childhood infectious diseases, otitis media, headaches, and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (n=1. Six patients (4 in the FHD group and 2 in the IAD group whose dose was increased from 0.035 mg/kg/day to 0.067 mg/kg/day [one at Month 3 and one at Year 1]) had impaired fasting glucose at Year 2. Two of 6 had impaired fasting glucose during the study, and one discontinued HUMATROPE at month 15 as a consequence. At study completion, 20-25% of patients had serum IGF-I SDS values > +2.
The following adverse reactions were reported from an observational study of 340 pediatric patients who received HUMATROPE with an average dosage of 0.041 mg/kg/day (maximum dose: 0.084 mg/kg/day) for an average of 3.0 years: type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=1), carpal tunnel syndrome (n=1) and an exacerbation of preexisting scoliosis (n=1).
Adult Patients with GH deficiency
Adult-Onset GH Deficiency
In the first 6 months of controlled blinded studies during which patients received either HUMATROPE or placebo, patients who received HUMATROPE experienced an increase in edema (17% vs. 4%) and peripheral edema (12% vs. 0%). Edema, muscle pain, joint pain, and joint disorder were reported early in therapy and tended to be transient or responsive to dosage titration.
Two of 113 patients developed carpal tunnel syndrome after beginning maintenance therapy without a low dose (0.00625 mg/kg/day) lead-in phase. Symptoms abated in these patients after dosage reduction.
Adverse reactions with ≥5% overall occurrence rate during 12 or 18 months of replacement therapy with HUMATROPE are shown in Table 6 (adult-onset patients) and in Table 7 (childhood-onset patients).
Table 6: Adverse Reactions with ≥5% Overall Occurrence in Adult-Onset Growth Hormone-Deficient Patients Treated with HUMATROPE for 18 Months as Compared with 6-Month Placebo and 12-Month HUMATROPE Exposure
| Adverse Reaction | 18 Months Exposure [Placebo (6 Months)/Humatrope (12 Months)] (n=44) | 18 Months Humatrope Exposure (n=52) |
| Edema
| 11%
| 21%
|
| Arthralgia
| 14%
| 17%
|
| Paresthesia
| 14%
| 17%
|
| Myalgia
| 9%
| 14%
|
| Pain
| 14%
| 14%
|
| Peripheral edema
| 18%
| 12%
|
| Headache
| 7%
| 8%
|
| Hypertension
| 5%
| 8%
|
| Joint disorder
| 2%
| 6%
|
| Rhinitis
| 11%
| 13%
|
| Back pain
| 9%
| 10%
|
| Acne
| 0%
| 6%
|
| Surgical procedure
| 2%
| 6%
|
| Flu syndrome
| 7%
| 4%
|
Childhood-Onset GH Deficiency
Two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were conducted in 67 adult patients who had received previous somatropin treatment during childhood. Patients were randomized to receive either placebo injections or HUMATROPE (0.00625 mg/kg/day for the first 4 weeks, then 0.0125 mg/kg/day thereafter) for the first 6 months, followed by open-label use of HUMATROPE for the next 12 months for all patients. During the placebo-controlled phase (first 6 months) of the study, elevations of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transferase were reported more for HUMATROPE-treated (13% vs. 0%) than placebo-treated patients.
Table 7: Adverse Reactions with ≥5% Overall Occurrence in Childhood-Onset Growth Hormone-Deficient Patients Treated with HUMATROPE for 18 Months as Compared with 6-Month Placebo and 12-Month HUMATROPE Exposure
|
| Adverse Reaction | 18 Months Exposure [Placebo (6 Months)/Humatrope (12 Months)] (n=30) | 18 Months Humatrope Exposure (n=32) |
| AST a increased
| 7%
| 13%
|
| Headache
| 7%
| 9%
|
| Asthenia
| 3%
| 6%
|
| Edema
| 10%
| 6%
|
| Myalgia
| 7%
| 6%
|
| Pain
| 10%
| 6%
|
| ALT a increased
| 7%
| 6%
|
| Flu syndrome
| 10%
| 16%
|
| Cough increased
| 0%
| 6%
|
| Hypesthesia
| 0%
| 6%
|
| Rhinitis
| 7%
| 6%
|
| Respiratory disorder
| 7%
| 3%
|
| Gastritis
| 7%
| 0%
|
| Pharyngitis
| 7%
| 3%
|
Risk Summary
Limited available data with somatropin use in pregnant women are insufficient to determine a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with HUMATROPE.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of somatropin in human milk. Limited published data indicate that exogenous somatropin does not increase normal breastmilk concentrations of growth hormone. No adverse effects related to somatropin in the breastfed infant have been reported. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for HUMATROPE and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from HUMATROPE or from the underlying maternal condition.
Growth Failure due to Inadequate Secretion of Endogenous Growth Hormone
Safety and effectiveness of HUMATROPE have been established in pediatric patients with growth failure due to growth hormone deficiency based on data from an open-label, uncontrolled, multicenter study with HUMATROPE in 314 pediatric patients conducted for up to 8 years [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].
Short Stature Associated with Turner Syndrome
Safety and effectiveness of HUMATROPE have been established in pediatric patients with short stature associated with Turner syndrome based on data from one long-term, randomized, open-label, multicenter, concurrently controlled study; two long-term, open-label multicenter, historically controlled US studies; and one long-term, randomized, US dose-response study with HUMATROPE in 181 pediatric patients [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].
Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS)
Safety and effectiveness of HUMATROPE have been established in pediatric patients with ISS based on data from two randomized, multicenter studies, one placebo-controlled study and one dose-response study with HUMATROPE in 310 pediatric patients [see Clinical Studies (14.3)].
Short Stature or Growth Failure in SHOX Deficiency
Safety and effectiveness of HUMATROPE have been established in pediatric patients with short stature or growth failure in SHOX deficiency based on data from a randomized, controlled, two-year, three-arm, open-label study with HUMATROPE in 52 pediatric patients [see Clinical Studies (14.4)].
Short Stature in Children Born Small for Gestational Age (SGA) with No Catch-up Growth by 2 Years to 4 Years of Age
Safety and effectiveness of HUMATROPE have been established in pediatric patients with short stature born SGA with no catch-up growth based on data from two clinical studies with HUMATROPE in 214 pediatric patients [see Clinical Studies (14.5)].
Absorption
HUMATROPE has been studied following intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous administration in healthy adult subjects. A single subcutaneous dose administration of HUMATROPE 0.1 mg/kg (0.27 IU/kg) in healthy subjects (n= 8) resulted in a mean (SD) Cmax of 63.3 (18.2) ng/mL at median Tmax of 4.0 (range 3 to 8) hours. The absolute bioavailability of somatropin is 75% after subcutaneous administration.
Distribution
The mean (SD) volume of distribution of somatropin after single dose subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mg/kg (0.27 IU/kg) in healthy subjects is about 0.96 (0.3) L/kg.
Elimination
Metabolism — Extensive metabolism studies have not been conducted. The metabolic fate of somatropin involves classical protein catabolism in both the liver and kidneys. In renal cells, at least a portion of the breakdown products of somatropin is returned to the systemic circulation.
Excretion — In healthy subjects, mean somatropin clearance is 0.18 (0.03) L/hr/kg following subcutaneous administration. The mean half-life of subcutaneous somatropin is 3.8 (1.4) hours. The long half-life observed after subcutaneous administration is due to slow absorption from the injection site. Urinary excretion of intact HUMATROPE has not been measured. Small amounts of somatropin have been detected in the urine of pediatric patients following replacement therapy.
Specific Populations
Geriatric patients — The pharmacokinetics of HUMATROPE have not been studied in patients greater than 65 years of age.
Pediatric patients — The pharmacokinetics of HUMATROPE in pediatric patients are similar to those of adults.
Male and Female Patients — No gender-specific pharmacokinetic studies have been performed with HUMATROPE. The available literature indicates that the pharmacokinetics of somatropin are similar in men and women.
Patients with Renal or hepatic impairment — No studies have been performed with HUMATROPE.