Effect of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I on progression of ALS: A placebo-controlled study

Eugene C. Lai, K. J. Felice, B. W. Festoff, M. J. Gawel, D. F. Gelinas, R. Kratz, M. F. Murphy, H. M. Natter, F. H. Norris, S. A. Rudnicki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

366 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of recombinant human insulinlike growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) in the treatment of sporadic ALS. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study of 266 patients was conducted at eight centers in North America. Placebo or rhIGF-I (0.05 mg/kg/day or 0.10 mg/kg/day) was administered for 9 months. The primary outcome measure was disease symptom progression, assessed by the rate of change (per patient slope) in the Appel ALS rating scale total score. The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), a patient-perceived, health-related quality of life assessment, was a secondary outcome variable. Progression of functional impairment in patients receiving high-dose (0.10 mg/kg/day) rhIGF-I was 26% slower than in patients receiving placebo (p = 0.01). The high-dose treatment group was less likely to terminate the study due to protocol-defined markers of disease symptom progression, and members in this group exhibited a slower decline in quality of life, as assessed by the SIP. Patients receiving 0.05 mg/kg/day of rhIGF-I exhibited trends similar to those associated with high- dose treatment, suggesting a dose-dependent response. The incidence of clinically significant adverse experiences was comparable among the three treatment groups. Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I slowed the progression of functional impairment and the decline in health-related quality of life in patients with ALS with no medically important adverse effects.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1621-1630
Number of pages10
JournalNeurology
Volume49
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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