Shari Dawson discovered she had a hidden tumor after noticing changes in her jaw and experiencing various health issues. It took almost a decade for her to be diagnosed with acromegaly, a rare condition caused by a pituitary tumor. Despite undergoing surgery and medication, she still faces challenges, including fertility issues. Now the general manager of the Australian Pituitary Foundation, she aims to raise awareness about the condition to help others receive earlier diagnoses and treatment.
Adam Rainer, born in 1899, is the only person in recorded history to have been classified both as a dwarf and a giant. Standing at 4'10" in early adulthood, he began to grow rapidly at age 21 due to acromegaly caused by a pituitary tumor, eventually reaching 7'8". Despite surgery to remove the tumor, his growth continued, leading to severe health issues. Rainer passed away in 1950 at the age of 51, his life marked by his unique medical condition.
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals' experimental drug for acromegaly, a rare hormonal disorder, has shown success in a late-stage trial, with 25 out of 30 patients given the drug achieving normal growth-factor levels compared to just 1 out of 28 participants who took the placebo. The company plans to file for FDA approval pending positive results from a second Phase 3 trial. However, if approved, Crinetics would face tough competition from existing blockbuster therapies sold by pharmaceutical giants in the crowded market.
