ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mecasermin rinfabate (iPLEX), comprising rhIGF-I complexed to rhIGFBP-3, was developed in an attempt to prolong the half-life of IGF-I and potentially reduce side effects. It is administered as a once-daily subcutaneous injection. Treatment with rhIGF-I has been explored in a number of growth and endocrine disorders. OBJECTIVE: To review the published literature regarding the pharmacokinetics, safety profile and clinical efficacy of Mecasermin rinfabate. METHODS: A comprehensive search via the NCBI PubMed portal was performed using the search terms rhIGF-I/rhIGFBP-3 complex, iPLEX and Somatokine. RESULTS: The effects of Mecasermin rinfabate have been explored in a number of clinical situations including diabetes, severe insulin resistance, osteopaenia, burns and growth hormone insensitivity syndrome, with outcomes similar to those of rhIGF-I alone. CONCLUSIONS: The biological effects of Mecasermin rinfabate are largely similar to those previously reported with rhIGF-I. There are little published data pertaining to pharmacokinetic properties in human subjects, and the side effect profile appears similar to that of rhIGF-I alone.
