Serono offers Serostim® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection], the only growth hormone approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HIV-associated wasting or cachexia. Through SeroCare®, Serono offers comprehensive support to healthcare providers and patients including education and appropriate access to care and treatment. Serostim® (recombinant Growth Hormone) works by interacting with specific cells to restore and build lean body mass (LBM). LBM includes muscle, organ tissue (excluding fat), and body fluids. It is the only growth hormone approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of AIDS wasting or cachexia. Serostim® is mammalian cell-derived and produced using recombinant technology. Clinical trials show that Serostim® has been effective in the treatment of AIDS wasting or cachexia. FDA approval is based on clinical studies up to 12 weeks in duration that analyzed body weight and lean body mass as an intermediate measure of Serostim®'s efficacy for AIDS wasting. A further study is underway to evaluate the full impact of Serostim® on patients' physical endurance and quality of life. Serostim® must be used in conjunction with antiretroviral therapy. 76% of patients evaluated at week 2 of treatment had weight gain. Patients who continue to lose weight at week 2 should be reevaluated for concurrent opportunistic infections or other clinical events. The recommended duration of treatment is 12 weeks. No significant additional treatment benefit was observed in patients receiving therapy beyond 12 weeks. There are no data available from studies for patients who start, stop and restart treatment.
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