Abstract: Methods for increasing the growth rate of a human patient having partial growth hormone insensitivity syndrome, but not Laron syndrome, are described. One such method comprises administering an effective dose of growth hormone, preferably growth hormone with a native human sequence, with or without an N-terminal methionine, to the patient. The patient is characterized as having a height of less than about −2 standard deviations below normal for age and sex, a serum level of high-affinity growth hormone binding protein that is at least 2 standard deviations below normal levels, a serum level of IGF-I that is below normal mean levels, and a serum level of growth hormone that is at least normal. In another such method, the same patient population is treated with an effective amount of IGF-I, given alone or in combination with an amount of growth hormone that is effective in combination with the IGF-I.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the growth rate of a human patient having partial growth hormone insensitivity syndrome, but not Laron syndrome, are described. One such method comprises administering an effective dose of growth hormone, preferably growth hormone with a native human sequence, with or without an N-terminal methionine, to the patient. The patient is characterized as having a height of less than about -2 standard deviations below normal for age and sex, a serum level of high-affinity growth hormone binding protein that is at least 2 standard deviations below normal levels, a serum level of IGF-I that is below normal mean levels, and a serum level of growth hormone that is at least normal. In another such method, the same patient population is treated with an effective amount of IGF-I, given alone or in combination with an amount of growth hormone that is effective in combination with the IGF-I.

Abstract: A ligand-mediated immunofunctional assay (LIFA) method for detecting the presence and the concentration of polypeptide hormone binding proteins which comprises capturing the binding protein with a solid phase bound first antibody, saturating the bound hormone binding protein with the ligand polypeptide hormone, and detecting the bound ligand polypeptide hormone with a detectably labeled second antibody specific for the ligand polypeptide hormone. In the absence of added saturating polypeptide hormone, the LIFA measures the amount of hormone binding protein bound to the endogenous ligand polypeptide hormone. A growth hormone binding protein assay illustrates the method of the present invention. LIFA assay results indicate that increased binding protein substantially increases growth hormone activity. Methods of use and formulations of growth hormone binding protein, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein are disclosed.

Abstract: A ligand-mediated immunofunctional assay (LIFA) method for detecting the presence and the concentration of polypeptide hormone binding proteins which comprises capturing the binding protein with a solid phase bound first antibody, saturating the bound hormone binding protein with the ligand polypeptide hormone, and detecting the bound ligand polypeptide hormone with a detectably labeled second antibody specific for the ligand polypeptide hormone. In the absence of added saturating polypeptide hormone, the LIFA measures the amount of hormone binding protein bound to the endogenous ligand polypeptide hormone. A growth hormone binding protein assay illustrates the method of the present invention.