Recent advances in hGH clinical research.

While hundreds of studies are currently being conducted with growth factors in a variety of areas, there are at least four major areas where significant contributions to medicine and health care of individuals can be accomplished in the future. These areas include the establishment of true benefit and risk for longterm use of hGH therapy for the treatment of short stature in a variety of conditions. They include the identification of medical need for replacement therapy in adults with growth hormone deficiency. The possibility that growth hormone may significantly improve recovery in patients from serious wounds, malnutrition or catabolic states remains to be proven. Finally, the effect of growth hormone therapy on other body systems, such as the reproductive system, the immune system, or bone, is only beginning to be delineated. Clinical investigators are encouraged to maximize their research efforts through well designed and well controlled studies in their areas of interest.