Mecasermin
Also known as: Increlex, rhIGF-1, Recombinant human IGF-1
Recombinant human IGF-1, FDA-approved as Increlex (2005) for children with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency. Prescription medication.
Last updated
Mechanism of Action
Mecasermin is recombinant insulin-like growth factor-1 identical to the human hormone. It binds the IGF-1 receptor on growth plate chondrocytes and other tissues, stimulating cell proliferation and linear growth. It is used when the body cannot make IGF-1 in response to growth hormone (for example GH receptor defects such as Laron syndrome), a situation where giving GH itself does not work. Because IGF-1 also activates insulin receptors at high levels, it can lower blood glucose.
- Half-life
- ~6 hours (subcutaneous, in children)
- Administration Routes
- Subcutaneous
- Research Status
- Clinical
Reported Benefits
- Increases height velocity in severe primary IGF-1 deficiency
- Treats growth failure from GH gene deletion with neutralizing GH antibodies
- Improves adult height outcomes in long-term growth hormone insensitivity cohorts
Potential Side Effects
- Hypoglycemia (the most common serious effect; must be dosed with meals)
- Tonsillar and adenoidal hypertrophy, snoring, sleep apnea
- Intracranial hypertension and slipped capital femoral epiphysis
- Benign and malignant neoplasia reported; stop therapy if a neoplasm develops
- Injection-site lipohypertrophy
Common Dosing
Labeled dosing is weight-based, given by subcutaneous injection twice daily shortly before or after a meal or snack, starting low and increasing gradually as tolerated while glucose is monitored. Dosing is set and supervised by a pediatric endocrinologist.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- Closed epiphyses
- Active or suspected neoplasia
- Intravenous administration
- Not a substitute for GH in patients who are GH deficient
No documented stacking partners for Mecasermin yet.
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Long-term treatment with recombinant insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in children with severe IGF-I deficiency due to growth hormone insensitivity
2007
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Mecasermin for primary insulin-like growth factor-1 deficiency
2022
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Guidelines for Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Treatment in Children and Adolescents: Growth Hormone Deficiency, Idiopathic Short Stature, and Primary Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Deficiency
2016