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03-02-2025 | Rapid Communication

Growth hormone replacement therapy enhances humoral response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in patients with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency

Authors: Davide Masi, Maria Elena Spoltore, Mariaignazia Curreli, Denise Costa, Elena Gangitano, Stefania Mariani, Antonio Angeloni, Lucio Gnessi, Emanuela Anastasi, Carla Lubrano

Published in: Journal of Endocrinological Investigation

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Abstract

Purpose

Given the established link between GH/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) deficiency and severe COVID-19 outcomes, this research seeks to determine whether GH therapy can enhance vaccine efficacy in patients with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency (aGHD).

Methods

We conducted an observational retrospective study involving two groups: a cohort of 10 patients (8 females, 2 males) with obesity and aGHD who initiated recombinant GH replacement therapy at a standard dose of 0.1 mg/day six months to one year before their first vaccine dose, and a matched control group of 7 patients (5 females, 2 males) with aGHD who had not started GH treatment. Both groups were matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) to ensure comparability. Blood samples were collected 3 to 6 months after the third booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2, Pfizer-BioNTech) and analyzed for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a commercially available assay.

Results

The GH-treated group exhibited a significantly greater humoral response compared to the untreated group, with a mean antibody titer of 19,122.1 ± 7,736.84 U/mL versus 9,539.14 ± 5,408.90 U/mL in the control group (p = 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that GH replacement therapy was the only statistically significant predictor of vaccine response, while factors such as male sex, age, and visceral adipose tissue showed negative correlations that did not reach significance.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that GH replacement therapy may enhance the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with aGHD, potentially improving their overall metabolic health and immune function.
Literature
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go back to reference Cristina M, Sara P, Paola T, Mauro B (2004) Effect of growth hormone (GH) on the immune system. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev 1(Suppl 3):490–495 Cristina M, Sara P, Paola T, Mauro B (2004) Effect of growth hormone (GH) on the immune system. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev 1(Suppl 3):490–495
14.
go back to reference Yuen KCJ, Biller BMK, Radovick S, Carmichael JD, Jasim S, Pantalone KM, Hoffman AR (2019) American Association Of Clinical Endocrinologists And American College Of Endocrinology guidelines for management of growth hormone deficiency in adults and patients transitioning from pediatric to adult care. Endocr Pract 25(11):1191–1232. https://doi.org/10.4158/GL-2019-0405. (PMID: 31760824)CrossRefPubMed Yuen KCJ, Biller BMK, Radovick S, Carmichael JD, Jasim S, Pantalone KM, Hoffman AR (2019) American Association Of Clinical Endocrinologists And American College Of Endocrinology guidelines for management of growth hormone deficiency in adults and patients transitioning from pediatric to adult care. Endocr Pract 25(11):1191–1232. https://​doi.​org/​10.​4158/​GL-2019-0405. (PMID: 31760824)CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Growth hormone replacement therapy enhances humoral response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in patients with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency
Authors
Davide Masi
Maria Elena Spoltore
Mariaignazia Curreli
Denise Costa
Elena Gangitano
Stefania Mariani
Antonio Angeloni
Lucio Gnessi
Emanuela Anastasi
Carla Lubrano
Publication date
03-02-2025
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
Electronic ISSN: 1720-8386
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-024-02528-7

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