What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a synthetic form of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), a molecule secreted by the hypothalamus that controls the release of human growth hormone (hGH) from the pituitary gland into the bloodstream. This peptide hormone is crucial for growth and development, and it continues to maintain healthy tissues and organs throughout life. Sermorelin is used as a medication to treat low hGH levels, particularly in cases of poor growth in children [1].
Sermorelin therapy has been suggested to have several benefits. It is used to diagnose and treat poor growth in children, and it's also sometimes used off-label to treat hGH deficiency in adults. Some research has suggested that it can be beneficial in people with certain recurrent brain tumors. One older study reported that a daily injection of sermorelin increased growth rate in 74 percent of children after just 6 months. In adults, sermorelin injection has been observed to increase hGH levels in the bloodstream, leading to claims that it can restore the body's natural hGH production [1].
However, it's important to note that definitive research to support the anti-aging effect of sermorelin is lacking, and its use in healthy adults to reverse the effects of aging and in bodybuilding remains controversial [1].
Sermorelin, GHRH and Cancer Cells
There is indeed a link between sermorelin cancer, but the relationship is complex. The short answer is that there is no conclusive scientific evidence suggesting that Sermorelin causes cancer side effects.
Can GHRH cause cancer?
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and its receptors have been implicated in the progression of various tumors. For instance, treatment with GHRH significantly increased cell viability and cell proliferation in a study on prostate cancer cells [5]. However, it's important to note that while there is evidence linking GHRH to cancer occurrence or promotion, the evidence is progressively weaker when moving from in vitro studies to in vivo animal studies to epidemiological studies and finally to studies on GH-treated patients [6]. Therefore, while GHRH may play a role in cancer progression, it does not necessarily cause cancer.
Studies on cancer cells grown outside the body (in vitro) have shown that GHRH can stimulate the proliferation of certain types of cancers.
In the case of human bronchial neuroendocrine tumour cells, GHRH was found to increase cell proliferation, and in turn increased signalling through the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) pathway and chromogranin A. Both of these molecules are involved in tumor growth and progression [1].
Additionally, a study on prostate cancer cells concluded that GHRH may play a role in the transformation of the cells to a migratory phenotype (cells that are capable of metastasis), with increased expression of matrix metalloproteases (enzymes that degrade the environment around a tumour allowing it to spread), as well as VEFF and cadherins (adhesion molecules with roles in attachment of metastatic cells to the new location). These findings were verified in an in-vivo mouse model, suggesting a potential role of GHRH may play a role in the development of prostate cancer [2].
However, while studies on cell lines and simple animal models suggest a potential role, in cancer development, this relationship is more difficult to describe and study in humans. The evidence from human studies is inconclusive, and more research needs to be performed. For example, a study investigating the association of breast carcinoma with genetic polymorphisms in the GH1 gene, which codes for GHRH, found no significant association with breast carcinoma risk [3]. Additionally, there is no available data on the relationship between sermorelin acetate and cancer in humans.
Can Sermorelin be used as cancer treatment?
Given its potential importance in cancer development, sermorelin has been studied as a potential cancer treatment as well. A recent study investigated the use of sermorelin for treatment of recurrent gliomas, a type of brain cancer [4]. 1,018 glioma patients were included in the study, and the results suggest that sermorelin may inhibit tumor cell proliferation by blocking the cell cycle, effectively ordering the cancer cells to stop growing. Additionally, involvement with the immune system was noted, with sermorelin negatively regulating immune checkpoints (processed that attenuate the immune response, in effect preventing the immune system from fighting cancer).
While these findings are promising, it is important to note that cancer is a highly complex disease. More research is required to understand whether sermorelin could be a viable cancer treatment in the future, or could be linked to cancer development.
If you'd like to find out more about the roles of different peptides in cancer treatment, read our blogs about MK-677 and cancer, CJC 1295 and cancer, or BPC 157 and cancer.