PMON329 Survey of physician experience with once weekly somatrogon vs once daily somatropin regimen for the treatment of pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency: results from a cross sectional, observational study
Authors: Gomez Roy , Loftus Jane , Yaworsky Andrew , Lamoureux Roger , Polak Michel , Maghnie Mohamad , Miller Bradley S 
Published: November 2022

Background

Somatrogon is a long-acting recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) currently being developed as a once-weekly subcutaneous injectable treatment for pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). A recent global Phase 3 study compared the efficacy and safety of somatrogon administered once weekly with Genotropin administered once daily in pediatric patients with GHD (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02968004).

Aims

To understand and describe physicians’ experiences using once-weekly somatrogon injections compared with once-daily hGH injections during the Phase 3 study.

Methods

In this quantitative, cross-sectional, observational study, a 14-item multiple choice questionnaire was administered to physicians who were clinical investigators in the Phase 3 study. The questionnaire was designed to assess physicians’ experiences, preferences and satisfaction regarding the use of the once-weekly somatrogon regimen compared with the standard once-daily hGH injection regimen. Survey results were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 24 physicians who were part of the global Phase 3 study (mean age [SD]: 58.5 [10.1] years; 10 males, 14 females) in 12 different countries completed the on-line survey. Compared with daily injections, most physicians preferred somatrogon (n=18, 75.0%) and reported that somatrogon was more convenient (n=19, 79.2%), less burdensome (n=19, 79.2%) and that they would be more likely to prescribe somatrogon to patients in the future (n=20, 83.3%). In terms of being more likely to support positive long-term growth outcomes, 37.5% (n=9) of physicians selected somatrogon; the remaining physicians (n=15, 62.5%) reported no difference between treatments. The proportion of physicians who were satisfied or very satisfied with somatrogon was 95.8% (n=23), compared with 87.5% (n=21) for daily hGH injections.

Most physicians (n=15, 62.5%) reported that daily hGH injections required more effort/much more effort to monitor adherence, compared with somatrogon. Some physicians (n=7, 29.2%) reported that explaining the device instructions to patient/caregivers required more/much more effort for somatrogon compared with daily hGH injections; more than half (n=14, 58.3%) reported no difference in effort required for either regimen. Physicians were divided as to which treatment needed more/much more effort to: (i) explain the injection regimen (n=7 [29.2%] daily injection; n=7 [29.2%] no difference; n=10 [41.7%] somatrogon), (ii) explain what to do if an injection is missed (n=7 [29.2%] daily injection; n=9 [37.5%] no difference; n=8 [33.3%] somatrogon), and (iii) address patient/caregiver questions (n=8 [33.3%] daily injection; n=11 [45.8%] no difference; n=5 [20.8%] somatrogon).

Conclusions

Overall, physicians from the global Phase 3 study were positive about their experience using somatrogon for the treatment of children with GHD. Physicians generally preferred the once-weekly somatrogon injection regimen, with most physicians reporting somatrogon to be more convenient and less burdensome to patients, indicating that they would be more likely to prescribe somatrogon to their patients in the future.

Presentation: Monday, June 13, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.