Too Tall to Live: Giant Health Risks Aug 16, 2008
The condition that gives rise to this incredible height is known as gigantism if it manifests during childhood, and acromegaly if it surfaces in an adult. It usually arises when a tumor grows on the pituitary gland. (ABC News)
What causes gigantism? Aug 14, 2008
So, a subset of those--maybe 10 percent would have acromegaly, but it's hard to know ... The other treatment options for someone with acromegaly or gigantism, as she had, is --radiosurgery or stereotactic radiotherapy that is, giving focused radiation to the pituitary tumor to avoid damage to surrounding structures ... For people with acromegaly, aside from the gigantism, are there other frequent health defects. (Scientific American)
Where were these Braves all season? Aug 11, 2008
N8, I ll go ahead and quote the American Journal of Sports Medicine (not selling or promoting HGH) here growth hormone excess leads to acromegaly, a disease with excess morbidity, including a myopathy in which muscles appear larger but are functionally weaker. Growth hormone does decrease body fat. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Biotech Tercica rides a wave of new drugs Aug 1, 2008
Somatuline treats acromegaly, a debilitating abnormal growth malady, and is likely to give Tercica a growth spurt of its own. The company had revenue of $3. (San Francisco Business Times, CA)
Tercica stock soars on purchase offer Jun 6, 2008
Somatuline Depot was approved by the FDA in September to treat acromegaly, an illness related to growth hormones that can cause enlargement of the hands, feet, head and internal organs. Tercica's product revenue was $9. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Ipsen buys Tercica for $404 million Jun 6, 2008
The drug treats acromegaly, a debilitating abnormal growth malady. At the same time, Tercica developed Increlex, a treatment for children with a deficiency of the key childhood growth hormone IGF-1, that hit the market in early 2006. (San Francisco Business Times, CA)
Ambrilia Reports First Quarter 2008 Results May 14, 2008
Ambrilia reported earlier this morning, in a separate press release, the details of the 24-week Phase III top-line results for its C2L, confirming its safety and efficacy in acromegaly patients, and its ability to replace Sandostatin LAR with less frequent injections and non-inferior efficacy on Growth Hormone (GH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). Concurrently, the Company announced the termination of the U.S. licensing agreement with Covidien Ltd., therefore regaining all license and... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Ambrilia Reports Positive Final Phase III Results for its Octreotide Formulation C2L May 14, 2008
The preliminary statistical analysis confirms its safety and efficacy in acromegaly patients, and its ability to replace Sandostatin LAR with less frequent injections and non-inferior efficacy on Growth Hormone ("GH") and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 ("IGF-1") ... "We are focusing our pharmaceutical business on therapeutic pain management. Acromegaly falls outside of that focus." ... Acromegaly is a serious chronic condition related to a permanent hypersecretion of GH by the pituitary gland,... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
'10 Unwrapped: The Chen Twins Apr 2, 2008
The tallest NBA player on record was actually not Bol, but 7'7" (2.31 meter) Gheorghe Muresan, whose remarkable height was the tragic result of a severe pituitary disorder. Fear not, Cardinalmaniacs, the Chen Twins aka "The Great Wall of Cardinal" appear to be "naturally tall", quite unlike their fellow countryman Sun Ming Ming, a 7'9" Chinese who suffered from a benign brain tumor impacting his pituitary gland that created an over-production of growth hormone, a potentially deadly... (TheBootleg.com)
HGH - All Hype, No Performance? Mar 19, 2008
By the same token, an excess of HGH will also have profound effects which are far from advantageous (Read up on acromegaly ... All these are symptoms of acromegaly. (MedHeadlines)
Pituitary Gland Tumors Feb 24, 2008
Somatotrophic Adenoma: Too much growth hormone leads to acromegaly, with enlargement of the face, hands, and feet. Patients may also have elevated blood glucose and muscle weakness. (Suite101.com)
The saviour handshake Feb 18, 2008
Mr. Gurrieri, 36, had acromegaly, a condition caused by excessive growth hormone from the pituitary gland, usually prompted by a tumour, that affects three in a million people ... Mr. Gurrier said: He didn t say anything to me but he turned to my friend and said I am sure he has acromegaly. (Hindu)
Handshake diagnosed brain tumour Feb 16, 2008
Mr Gurrieri underwent tests and was found to have acromegaly - caused by a tumour in the pituitary gland which leads to excess growth hormone ... If untreated acromegaly can also cause premature death ... Dr Britt, who works as a GP in Woodford Green, said he had not seen a case of acromegaly since he was a medical student working in a specialist hospital. (BBC News)
Handshake Saves Man's Life: Doctor Diagnoses Man's Brain Tumor Through 'Spongy' Handshake Feb 15, 2008
Gurrieri shook hands with Chris Britt, who immediately noticed Gurrieri's hand felt "spongy," a symptom of acromegaly, a benign tumor at the base of the brain that can lead to blindness, diabetes, high blood pressure and premature death. The condition is extremely rare and affects just three in 1 million people, the Daily Mail reported. (Fox News)
Man's life saved by handshake Feb 15, 2008
The two men shook hands and Dr Britt noticed Mr Gurrieri's huge, spongy-feeling hand and his large facial features as symptoms of acromegaly - a tumour at the base of the brain, which can be deadly if untreated ... Dr Britt said he hadn't seen a case of acromegaly since he was a medical student. (Telegraph.co.uk)
Ambrilia Reports Positive Phase III Preliminary Results Showing the Safety and Efficacy of its Prolonged-Release Formulation of Octreotide Jan 22, 2008
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 22, 2008) - Ambrilia Biopharma Inc. (TSX: - ) reported preliminary Phase III results today for its proprietary prolonged-release formulation of Octreotide ("C2L") in acromegaly patients ... "These preliminary data confirm that C2L is very effective at reducing GH, IGF-1 and clinical symptoms in acromegaly patients, with minimal side effects", said Professor Stafford Lightman, Professor of Medicine, University of Bristol and Henry-Wellcome Center for... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
UNC Asheville's 7-foot-7, 360-pound Kenny George is turning heads Jan 19, 2008
Gigantism or acromegaly, where a tumor on the pituitary gland causes an oversecretion of growth hormone, is often the cause of someone getting that tall. George declined to discuss the specifics of his health, only to say he has an overactive pituitary gland. (The Daily Reflector)
'Korean Monster' to face M-1's Fedor Dec 16, 2007
The 27-year-old suffers from acromegaly which is a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone. He is 1-0 in the sport, winning his lone MMA event with a 16-second knockout. (PR Newswire)
Human growth hormonestill stumps anti-doping forces Nov 23, 2007
The most common already known is called acromegaly, a disease better known as giantism. HGH spurs growth of cartilage often beyond what the bones can handle. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Paladin Reports 2007 Record Third Quarter Financial Results Nov 1, 2007
Under the terms of this agreement, Paladin will assume responsibility for local clinical trials, registration, marketing, sales and distribution of at least three of Glide Pharma's pipeline products which include: needle-free versions of sumatriptan, a leading migraine drug; octreotide, a peptide used in the treatment of acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumours; and, fentanyl, a widely-used pain medication used for breakthrough pain. According to IMS Canada, the combined markets for these 3... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Oct 15, 2007
It can also be associated with rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly, menopause, pregnancy, and amyloidosis. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling, pain, and muscle weakness in the distribution of the median nerve. (Suite101.com)
Australian Retail Sales Climb 0.9% In July [] Sep 2, 2007
Tercica Says Somatuline Depot Receives FDA Marketing Approval For Treatment Of Acromegaly - Update [TRCA ... The company said Somatuline Depot is indicated for the treatment of acromegaly when circulating levels of growth hormone remain high despite surgery or radiotherapy ... Tercica said that the FDA has also designated Somatuline Depot as an orphan drug for acromegaly. (RTT News)
Health Highlights: Sept. 1 2007 Sep 2, 2007
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Somatuline Depot (lanreotide acetate injection) to treat a rare growth hormone-related disorder called acromegaly, the agency said Friday. The disorder, caused by an abnormal secretion of the hormone, is characterized by enlarged hands, feet, facial bones, and internal organs such as the heart and liver. (Forbes)
Tercica: FDA approves Brisbane company's growth signal inhibitor Sep 1, 2007
Somatuline Depot was approved to treat acromegaly, an illness that can cause enlargement of the hands, feet, head and internal organs ... About 15,000 patients in the United States suffer from acromegaly, which usually strikes people in their 40s or 50s. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Ambrilia Completes Patient Recruitment for the Phase 3 Pivotal Clinical Trial of its Prolonged Release Formulation of Octreotide Aug 28, 2007
ABOUT OCTREOTIDE, SANDOSTATINLAR AND ACROMEGALY ... Octreotide is used for the treatment of a rare disease called acromegaly caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland, and for certain rare digestive tumors ... Acromegaly is a serious chronic condition related to a permanent hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) by the pituitary gland, generally of tumoral origin. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Ambrilia Completes Korean Licensing Partnership with Shin Poong for its Long-Acting Formulation of Octreotide Jul 17, 2007
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(CCNMatthews - July 17, 2007) - Ambrilia Biopharma Inc. (TSX: - ), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel small molecules and peptides to treat infectious diseases and cancer, announced today the signing of a licensing and distribution agreement with Shin Poong Pharmaceutical Co. of Seoul, Korea, for its sustained-release formulation of Octreotide for the treatment of acromegaly ... ABOUT OCTREOTIDE, SANDOSTATINLAR AND ACROMEGALY ... Octreotide is used for the treatment... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
JONATHAN V. LAST: Life is hard - and often short Jul 4, 2007
Andre the Giant, for instance, had acromegaly. (As he once touchingly remarked to Billy Crystal, "We do not live long, the big and the small.") But a striking number of the deaths were related to steroid or drug use. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Just when you thought it was safe May 8, 2007
Jhan, I believe the medical term is called acromegaly which is a common side effect of excessive use of human growth hormone ... i do care that folks are educated that they arent safe and that acromegaly (yeah, samuel if you are playing ignorant to try and get a response you probably do know it is a physiological response to growth hormone not hearsay) is a very serious condition when g.h. goes unchecked and the toll will be seen in bonds body shortly after he stops the drugs with serious side... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Expectant moms: Avoid all alcohol Apr 25, 2007
Become a member of HeraldTribune. Dear Dr. Donohue: My husband and I are both 35, successful in our fields and lead a comfortable life. (Herald-Tribune)
Bladder drug may cause hallucinations Apr 11, 2007
The FDAs panel of outside experts is also scheduled to discuss Roche AGs weight loss drug Xenical and Novartis Sandostatin, approved to treat a hormonal disorder called acromegaly. Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. (MSNBC -- Health)
Ambrilia Announces Fiscal 2006 Results Mar 28, 2007
- Oct. 06: Positive pivotal human pharmacokinetic study results for Ambrilia's improved formulation of Octreotide to treat acromegaly ... - Feb. 07: Start of European clinical studies in acromegaly patients. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Opinion: Lack of testing makes HGH drug of choice Mar 8, 2007
HGH abuse, Wadler said, can have the same effect as acromegaly, a disease more commonly known as giantism. Bigger, though, isnt necessarily enough. (MSNBC -- Health)
In a new afterword to Game of Shadows, the authors chronicle the fallout from their book and explain why Barry Bonds has yet to face a federal indictment. Feb 28, 2007
"The changes in his foot and head size," they write, "were of special interest: medical experts said overuse of human growth hormone could cause an adult's extremities to begin growing, aping the symptoms of the glandular disorder acromegaly.". You cannot read the book without concluding that Bonds is one of the biggest serial dopers in sports history. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Looking for the next big thing Feb 1, 2007
As he continued to grow at an astounding rate, eventually acquiring the gift of being able to dunk without jumping, Sun was diagnosed with acromegaly, a pituitary gland disease that produces excess growth hormones. Sun has lived in the United States since 2004. (Sunspot.net -- Sports)
What is diabetes? Jan 26, 2007
Other hormone problems such as acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, and hyperthyroidism. Drug- or chemical-induced diabetes which can include diabetes induced by thyroid hormones, thiazide diuretics, dilantin, and steroids. (iAfrica.com)
Valera Jumps on Buyout Deal Dec 13, 2006
Valera's development pipeline is advancing a number of other urinary and endocrinal products including treatments for central precocious puberty and acromegaly, excessive production of growth hormone that causes symptoms including the enlargement of bones and internal organs. It can be a precursor to heart disease and diabetes among other conditions. (BusinessWeek)
After surgery, 7-9 Ming pursuing NBA dream Dec 7, 2006
The 23-year-old Sun has acromegaly, a condition caused by a tumor that leads his pituitary gland to overproduce growth hormone ... It's rare that a case of acromegaly is diagnosed so late ... Tatter's partner at Wake Forest's Gamma Knife Center, Volker Stieber, said patients with acromegaly tend to die from heart failure at a young age, usually in their 30s or 40s. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NBA)
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE CONSOLIDATED BUDGET Nov 30, 2006
ACROMEGALY (Giovanelli, Winston-Salem Journal) _ GREENSBORO, N.C.: Sun Ming Ming, a Chinese immigrant and an aspiring NBA player, is 7-foot-8 and one of the tallest men in the world. But he suffers from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that affects the pituitary gland. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Surgery May Help Chinese Player Reach NBA Nov 29, 2006
The growth, which presses against the pituitary gland in the middle of Sun's brain, caused the gland to release high levels of growth hormone during his development a condition known as acromegaly. Related. (ABC News)
Ipsen's First Nine Months of 2006 Sales Oct 30, 2006
Ipsen is currently submitting a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval for its drug Somatuline(R) Autogel(R) injection 60, 90 and 120 mg as a monthly prolonged-release formulation to treat patients with acromegaly. The NDA submission of Somatuline(R) Autogel(R) injection is an important milestone in our commitment to develop and commercialize compounds to treat patients with endocrine illness. (CNBC -- Research Alerts)
Gleevec(R) Approved in the US for Five Rare Life-Threatening Disorders With Limited Treatment Options Oct 20, 2006
"These approvals further build and demonstrate our historical commitment to developing therapies for patients with rare diseases such as acromegaly, carcinoid syndrome and gastrointestinal stromal tumors." The FDA approvals are based on data from Novartis-sponsored clinical studies and clinical data from independent medical researchers showing the efficacy of Gleevec in the treatment of these diseases, in which there is a suggested connection between a Gleevec-sensitive pathway and a disease.... (PR Newswire)
Self-Inflicted Cancer? Sep 15, 2006
Exogenous testosterone may increase the risk of prostate cancer in older men and growth hormone has been associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer in patients with acromegaly, but none of these associations supports Swift s supposition about Armstrong. The fact is that no one knows what causes testicular cancer. (Fox News -- Views)
Mag: Brazen cheating Jun 10, 2006
"Call it a gesture of care, or brazen cheating. Just don't call it rare among Americans. FAQ on HGH What is human growth hormone? Growth hormone is a powerful anabolic hormone that occurs naturally in the human body. It is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain and stimulates the growth of muscle, cartilage and bone. A body produces growth hormone throughout its entire life, but produces more of it during youth. HGH was initially isolated in 1956. By 1959, it was starting to be used on... (ESPN -- Baseball)
Federal probe of drugs in sports goes beyond BALCO Jun 9, 2006
" Grimsley agreed to cooperate, and he was interviewed for two hours by federal agents, including three from the IRS and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration who were involved in the original Burlingame BALCO raid in 2003. According to the affidavit, Grimsley confessed that during his baseball career he had used steroids; human growth hormone; amphetamines; Clenbuterol, an asthma drug that promotes muscle growth much in the way steroids do; and a "prohormone" called 1-AD that he bought on the... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Experts concerned HGH is a growing problem Jun 9, 2006
(The wrestler, who died in 1993, had acromegaly, which naturally floods the body with HGH.) It also can bring increased chances of heart disease and diabetes. I think if they come up with a test that we're satisfied is accurate, then we'll revisit whether we want to take blood," said the Red Sox' Mark Loretta, a Players Association representative. ``Once you're tested, your name goes back in and you can be tested again. In theory, you could be tested seven, eight times a year and that would be... (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Grimsley released Jun 8, 2006
If a body has too much HGH, a condition can result called acromegaly, a disease where the hands become spade-like in appearance as they get bigger. Growth of the facial bones causes the face to change shape too. (ESPN -- Baseball)
Gene Predisposing To Pituitary Tumors Identified May 26, 2006
Excess of growth hormone results in conditions called acromegaly and gigantism ... Oversecretion of GH causes acromegaly or gigantism ... Acromegaly is characterized by coarse facial features, protruding jaw, and enlarged extremities. (Science Daily)
StreetInsider.com Pre-Open Movers 05/19 May 20, 2006
QLT Inc. (NASDAQ: ) 2% LOWER; announced that it will delay the initiation of its Phase IIa Atrigel/octreotide program in acromegaly patients. This decision was made, in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), following adverse event findings that occurred in an ongoing primate toxicology study designed to support repeated injections in patients. (StreetInsider.com (subscription), MI)
QLT delays initiation of Phase IIa Atrigel/octreotide program May 19, 2006
VANCOUVER, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - QLT Inc. (NASDAQ: QLTI; TSX: QLT) announced today that it will delay the initiation of its Phase IIa Atrigel/octreotide program in acromegaly patients ... The Phase IIa 16-patient study in acromegaly was expected to initiate in Q3 2006 with preliminary data expected in March 2007 ... Following the FDA's review of the data the FDA will determine whether patient enrollment can begin in the Phase IIa acromegaly study. (PR Newswire)
Tongue Problems May 15, 2006
HEALTH ENCYCLOPEDIA SEARCH The KCRA.com Health Encyclopedia is your comprehensive resource for in-depth health information. The tongue is mainly composed of muscles. (KCRA 3, CA)
Drug firms focus more on rare diseases Apr 30, 2006
Others include treatments for leprosy, unusual types of cancer, hemophilia B and acromegaly, a condition that leads to abnormally large features. . (Houston Chronicle)
Novartis Delivers Strong Start to 2006 in First Quarter with Excellent Sales and Earnings Growth Performance Apr 24, 2006
Sandostatin (USD 216 million, +1% lc) sales, for patients with acromegaly as well as treatment of patients with certain tumors, were slightly higher as strong growth for the long-acting LAR version expanded at a double-digit rate and offsetting lower sales of the subcutaneous formulation in the US, where it faces generic competition. Neoral/Sandimmun (USD 214 million, +0% lc), for use in organ transplantation, had largely unchanged worldwide sales as modest growth in the rest of the world offset... (Primezone Releases)
New research may explain why some who receive growth hormone therapy develop colon polyps Apr 8, 2006
Researchers already know that colon polyps tend to occur in people who already have excessive amounts of growth hormone, such as those with a disease called acromegaly, or gigantism ... The researchers thought an ideal way to study this issue would be to use an animal model of acromegaly, laboratory mice having excessive amounts of growth hormone ... "So this really raises the issue that in a situation of growth hormone excess, such as acromegaly or, possibly, growth hormone therapy, SOCS2 may... (EurekAlert!)
David Kupelian on why cynics are obsessed with 'debunking' Jesus, Moses, other heroes Apr 5, 2006
" You see, folks, it wasn't David's faith in God that won the day. It was the fact, as Professor Berginer points out, that Goliath was actually suffering from a disease of the pituitary gland called acromegaly, which caused a tumor to swell against poor Goliath's optic nerve. Goliath, it turns out, was vision-impaired! "I am sure that from time to time, Goliath did not see David because in the Bible it was written a few times that Goliath was very slow, but David ran," Mr. Berginer said. "The... (WorldNetDaily)
Researchers scent blood on cheats' trail Feb 9, 2006
At best, we would be engineering something more dangerous than acromegaly, or gigantism , a pituitary problem suffered by the likes of Richard Kiel (Jaws in the Bond movies) and Carel Struycken (Lurch in the Addams Family films). These are big men with health issues, yet more healthy than the Schwarzenegger mice, whose skeletons did not grow in proportion with their muscle and had shorter lifespans. (TimesOnline)
