Estroprogestinic pill normalizes IGF-I levels in acromegalic women

In some acromegalic patients medical treatment does not succeed in normalizing GH/IGF-I values. Data showing IGF-I suppression in acromegaly by estrogen and by tamoxifen use prompted us to reevaluate the effects of estroprogestins (EP) supplementation on GH/IGF-I levels in acromegalic women resistant or only partially sensitive to medical treatment. Eight active acromegalic women (30-52 yr, 4 with regular menses) entered a prospective open pilot study. Three of them, resistant to medical treatment, were off therapy, the remaining five, partially sensitive, maintained it at the maximally effective dosages throughout the study. Patients were treated with a triphasic pill (ethynil-estradiol 3040-30 mug/day and clesogestrel 50-70-100 mg/day).