Growth hormone (GH) responsiveness to corticotropin-releasing hormone identifies corticotroph-like somatotroph adenomas in acromegaly
Authors' conclusion
These findings support that GH responsiveness to CRH identifies a biologically distinct subset of somatotroph adenomas characterized by corticotroph-like features, larger tumor size, and reduced GH secretory capacity.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with acromegaly undergoing corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) testing
- Participants
- 22 vs 43
- Exposure
- CRH responders vs nonresponders
- CRH respondersn = 22
- Nonrespondersn = 43reference
- Outcome
- Characteristics of CRH responders vs nonresponders
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- CRH responders had significantly larger tumors and more frequent visual field impairment than nonresponders
- Baseline GH, IGF-1 and disease duration comparable
- Tumor volume and diameter positively correlated with GH increase ratio in CRH test
- GH and IGF-1 per tumor volume or diameter significantly lower in CRH responders (reduced GH secretory capacity relative to tumor size)
- Higher CRHR1 and lower CRHR2 expression in CRH responders
- TPIT and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) expression significantly more frequent in adenomas from CRH responders (corticotroph-like phenotype)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Correlation of GH response to CRH with other dynamic tests
- GH responses to CRH significantly correlated with those to LHRH but not TRH or OGTT
Predictors of first-generation SRL efficacy
- GH responses to CRH tended to be inversely correlated with somatostatin receptor subtype 2 expression, but not with octreotide response or MRI signal intensity
Original publication
GH responsiveness to corticotropin-releasing hormone identifies corticotroph-like somatotroph adenomas in acromegaly. Pituitary. Published 1 July 2026. doi:10.
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