Research
Hormonal
Pharmacological inhibition of the GH/IGF-1 axis, specifically using the GH receptor antagonist pegvisomant, lowers IGF-1 levels and improves insulin sensitivity, making it a candidate for extending healthspan.
Pegvisomant, a drug used for acromegaly, lowers IGF-1 and improves insulin sensitivity. It is being considered for longevity therapy. It requires medical supervision to monitor liver function. Do not self-administer.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Pegvisomant is unique in that it does not inhibit GH secretion, but rather inhibits GH action by binding to and blocking the GHR... a dose-dependent decrease of IGF-1 levels is seen in up to 90% of pegvisomant-treated patients... Pegvisomant, therefore, could have positive effects on both longevity and healthy aging by lowering serum IGF-1 and increasing insulin sensitivity.
Why this rating
Evidence from acromegaly patients shows safety and metabolic benefits, but no formal aging studies have been performed.
Source
Interventions to Slow Aging in Humans: Are We Ready?
Valter D. Longo et al. · Aging Cell · 2015
DOI 10.1111/acel.12338
narrative_reviewCited 596×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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