The efficacy of LUPRON DEPOT-PED was evaluated in a pivotal open-label, multicenter clinical trial (NCT00660010) in which 55 pediatric patients with central precocious puberty (49 females and 6 males, naïve to previous GnRHa treatment) were treated with LUPRON DEPOT-PED 1-month formulations until age was appropriate for entry into puberty (see treatment period data below)and a subset of 40 patients were then followed post-treatment (see follow-up period data below). The mean ± SD age at the start of treatment was 7 ± 2 years and the duration of treatment was 4 ± 2 years. Study drug was administered intramuscularly (IM) every 28 days, with incremental adjustments of 3.75mg at each clinic visit, if necessary based on clinical and laboratory results. During the follow-up period, GnRHa stimulation test was performed every 6 months until a pubertal response was observed. 

During the treatment period, LUPRON DEPOT-PED suppressed gonadotropins and sex steroids to prepubertal levels. Suppression of peak stimulated LH concentrations to < 1.75 mIU/mL was achieved in 96% of patients by month 1. Five patients required increased doses of study drug to achieve or retain LH suppression. The number and percentage of patients with suppression of peak stimulated LH < 1.75 mIU/mL and mean ± SD peak stimulated LH over time is shown in Table 5. Six months after the treatment period was finished, the mean peak stimulated LH was 20.6 ± SD 13.7 mIU/mL (n=30). 

The following effects have been noted with the chronic administration of leuprolide: cessation of menses (in girls), normalization and stabilization of linear growth and bone age advancement, stabilization of clinical signs and symptoms of puberty. 

Suppression (defined as regression or no change) of the clinical/physical signs of puberty was achieved in most patients. In females, suppression of breast development ranged from 66.7 to 90.6% of patients during the first 5 years of treatment. The mean stimulated estradiol was 15.1 pg/mL at baseline, decreased to the lower level of detection (5.0 pg/mL) by Week 4 and was maintained there during the first 5 years of treatment. In males, suppression of genitalia development ranged from 60% to 100% of patients during the first 5 years of treatment. The mean stimulated testosterone was 347.7 ng/dL at baseline and was maintained at levels no greater than 25.3 ng/dL during the first 5 years of treatment. 

A “flare effect” of transient bleeding or spotting during the first 4 weeks of treatment was observed in 19.4% (7/36) females who had not reached menarche at baseline. After the first 4 weeks and for the remainder of the treatment period, no patients reported menstrual-like bleeding, and only rare spotting was noted. 

The mean ratio of bone age to chronological age decreased from 1.5 at baseline to 1.1 by end of treatment. The mean height standard deviation z-score changed from 1.6 at baseline to 0.7 at the end of the treatment phase. 

Thirty five (35) females and 5 males participated in a post-treatment follow-up period to assess reproductive function (in females) and final height. At 6 months post-treatment, most patients reverted to pubertal levels of LH (87.9%) and clinical signs of resumption of pubertal progression were evident with increase in breast development in girls (66.7%) and increase in genitalia development in boys (80%). 

After stopping treatment, regular menses were reported for all female patients who reached 12 years of age during follow-up; mean time to menses was approximately 1.5 years; mean age of onset of menstruation after stopping treatment was 12.9 years. 

Of the 40 patients evaluated in the follow-up, 33 were observed until they reached final or near-final adult height. These patients had a mean increase in final adult height compared to baseline predicted adult height. The mean final adult height standard deviation score was -0.2.