Lastly, circulating growth hormone was increased 20 min after subcutaneous PEP-064 dosing, peaking at 30 min at 93 ng/mL and returning to approximately baseline by 120 min.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The novel, long-acting and efficacious ghrelin analogue, PEP-064, restored energy balance in cancer cachexia by increasing food intake and body weight, preserving lean mass and increasing adiposity, without affecting tumour growth. The gene discussed is GH1; the disease is cancer.