Aside from its development as a potential pharmaceutical drug, LGD-4033 is on the World Anti-Doping Agencylist of prohibited substances[15] and is sold for physique- and performance-enhancing purposes by black-market Internet suppliers.[3][9] LGD-4033 is often used in these contexts at doses greatly exceeding those evaluated in clinical trials, with unknown effectiveness and safety.[3][9] Many products sold online that are purported to be LGD-4033 either contain none or contain other unrelated substances.[3][16]Social media has played an important role in facilitating the widespread non-medical use of SARMs.[17]
Medical uses
LGD-4033 is not approved for any medical use and is not available as a licensed pharmaceutical drug as of 2023.[5][10][3]
LGD-4033 and other SARMs are largely uncharacterized in terms of their potential for masculinizing effects, for example in women.[3] In addition, the effects and safety of high doses of LGD-4033 and other SARMs, which are often used in non-medical contexts, are unknown.[3] Anecdotal reports of masculinization with black-market SARMs in women exist in online forums.[17]
The United StatesFood and Drug Administration (FDA) claims that "liver toxicity, adverse effects on blood lipid levels, and a potential to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke" are among the potential adverse health effects of SARMs including LGD-4033.[20]
Overdose
LGD-4033 has been assessed in clinical trials at single doses ranging from 0.1 to 22mg and at repeated doses ranging from 0.1 to 2mg/day for 3 to 12weeks.[11] The drug sold via black-market Internet suppliers and used non-medically is often taken at much higher doses than those used in repeated-dose clinical trials (e.g., 5–10mg/day), with unknown adverse effects and risks.[3][9][11]
LGD-4033 has shown robust selectivity for stimulation of the levator ani muscle relative to stimulation of the prostate in rats.[12] At the highest assessed dose in castrated male rats, levator ani weight was increased to around 140% of that of gonadally intact controls, whereas prostate weight was only increased to around 45% of that of intact controls.[13] The tissue selectivity of LGD-4033 was independent of local tissue drug concentration, suggesting that its selectivity was intrinsic.[12][13] The muscle-stimulating effects of LGD-4033 have also been confirmed in humans in preliminary clinical trials.[10][26] The data also allow comparison between different SARMs and other AR agonists.[10][26] In a phase 1 clinical trial in 76 healthy young men, 1mg/day LGD-4033 increased lean body mass by 1.2kg after 3weeks of treatment.[10][26][2] For comparison, enobosarm, another SARM, increased lean body mass by 1.3kg at a dose of 3mg/day after 12weeks in healthy elderly men and postmenopausal women.[2][26][27] It was concluded that the employed dose of LGD-4033 produced similar increases in lean body mass compared to enobosarm despite a substantially shorter treatment period.[2] In a phase 2 clinical trial in 108 women and men with hip fracture, LGD-4033 increased lean body mass by 4.8% at 0.5mg/day, 7.2% at 1mg/day, and 9.1% at 2mg/day after 12weeks of treatment.[8] For comparison, lean body mass with enobosarm 3mg/day after the same time period of 12weeks increased by about 0.30% at 0.1mg/day, 0.40% at 0.3mg/day, 1.2% at 1mg/day, and 3.1% at 3mg/day, with only the latter change achieving statistical significance.[27] Relative to SARMs, supraphysiological doses of testosterone (300–600mg/week intramuscular testosterone enanthate) over similar timeframes, like 20weeks, have been found to result in lean body mass gains of 5 to 8kg in healthy young men.[28][3][29]
In addition to selectivity for muscle and bone over the prostate gland, LGD-4033 has also been stated by Ligand Pharmaceuticals researchers to have reduced strength in the sebaceous glands.[12][4] Reduced activity in stimulating sebaceous gland formation, to about 30 to 50% of that produced by DHT at doses with similar anabolic potency in rats, has also been reported for certain other SARMs, like the steroidal agents TFM-4AS-1 and MK-0773.[12] In addition, enobosarm and MK-0773 have been reported to limitedly stimulate the sebaceous glands in small short-term clinical studies in women.[30][27][31]
Pharmacokinetics
LGD-4033 showed linear or dose-proportionalpharmacokinetics across doses of 0.1 to 1mg/day over 21days of administration.[2] Levels of LGD-4033 were 3-fold higher at day 21 compared to day 1, indicating significant accumulation with repeated administration.[2] The mean area-under-curve levels of LGD-4033 on day 21 were 19ng•day/mL at 0.1mg/day, 85ng•day/mL at 0.3mg/day, and 238ng•day/mL at 1mg/day.[2] The elimination half-life of LGD-4033 is 24 to 36hours.[3][2][4] Pharmacokinetic studies of LGD-4033 for purposes of doping detection have also been conducted.[32][33][34][35]
LGD-4033 was developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals and was first described in the literature in 2010.[5][12][4] On the basis of a favorable preclinical profile, phase 1clinical trials of LGD-4033 began in 2009.[12] The results of a single-dose phase 1 clinical trial were published as a conference abstract in 2010 and the findings of a multi-dose phase 1 trial were published as a journal article in 2013.[11][1][4][2] A third phase 1 trial was also conducted.[6][14] By 2012, a phase 2 trial of LGD-4033 for the treatment of muscle wasting related to cancer cachexia, acute rehabilitation (e.g., hip fracture), and acute illness was being prepared by Ligand Pharmaceuticals.[12][1] On 22 May 2014, Viking Therapeutics licensed the developmental rights of LGD-4033 from Ligand Pharmaceuticals and intended to advance the compound into mid-to-late-stage clinical trials.[10] The phase 2 study of LGD-4033 for muscle wasting was finally initiated in November 2016[41] and was completed with results reported in 2017 and 2018.[14][10][8] As of March 2023, LGD-4033 (VK5211) continues to be under development by Viking Therapeutics and continues to be in phase 2 clinical trials for treatment of muscle atrophy and hip fracture.[5]
Though not an approved drug, LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) has been sold on the black market in countries where it is classified as an illegal substance.[42][43] Along with enobosarm (ostarine; GTx-024, S-22), andarine (GTx-007; S-4), and vosilasarm (RAD140; "testolone"), LGD-4033 is one of the most popular and common non-medically-used SARMs.[9][44] Many products sold online that are purported to be LGD-4033 either contain none or contain other unrelated substances, and doses are also frequently not as labeled.[3][16]Social media has played an important role in facilitating the widespread non-medical use of SARMs.[17]
On 23 October 2017, a nutritional supplement company in Missouri called Infantry Labs was warned by the FDA that the distribution of two of its products violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. One of the substances was LGD-4033. The company advertised as benefits of the LGD-4033: "increases in lean body mass and decrease in body fat" and "increases in strength, well being, as well as healing possibilities". The company mislabeled as "dietary supplements" what should have been "new drugs" or "prescription drugs" and were instructed to document the steps they would take in order to cease the violation.[20]
Also on 23 October 2017, the FDA sent a warning letter to a New Jersey company called Panther Sports Nutrition. The company's marketing approach for the product was similar to that of the Infantry Labs case, and the product was advertised as a "mass builder" and "physique enhancing agent".[45]
Doping in sport
LGD-4033 is on the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) list of prohibited drugs[15] and has been found in drug testing samples of some athletes.[46] Since at least June 2015, LGD-4033 has been available via the internet. In that month, German scientists proposed a new test to detect its metabolites present in human urine, and suggested an expansion of the WADA regime.[47] LGD-4033 has been found in WADA samples and in racehorses as well.[48]
On 15 March 2014 cyclist Christos Volikakis was informed of an Adverse Analytical Finding on a re-analysis of a sample from the 2016 Rio Olympics. The athlete has since requested an analysis of the B sample.[49]
In 2017, Joakim Noah was banned for twenty games by the NBA for testing positive for LGD-4033.[51]
In 2019, Australian swimmer Shayna Jack tested positive for LGD-4033. She denies knowingly taking the substance.[52]
In August 2019, it came to light that Canadian sprint canoeist Laurence Vincent Lapointe tested positive for LGD-4033; the athlete denies knowingly taking a forbidden substance that resulted in her suspension from competition. The athlete remarked that the National Team Training Centre purchased nutritional supplements for its athletes and denied buying or taking nutritional supplements on her own. [53] On January 27, 2020, she was cleared of all charges. The substance was found in her results because of an exchange of bodily fluids with her boyfriend, who took LGD-4033.[54]
In January 2020, Chilean ATP tennis singles competitor Nicolás Jarry tested positive for both LGD-4033 and stanozolol. He protested at the time that the multi-vitamins from Brazil that he took on the advice of an unnamed doctor were contaminated.[55]
On 3 September 2022, sprinter Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha was provisionally suspended for the use of banned substances enobosarm and LGD-4033[56] by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
On 23 January 2024, Tristan Thompson was suspended for 25 games by the NBA for testing positive for ibutamoren and LGD-4033.[57]
On 12 March 2024, curler Briane Harris was provisionally suspended for up to four years after testing positive for LGD-4033. She denies this after being tested by doping control officers on Jan. 24 and notified of her positive test on Feb. 15. A second sample, called the B sample, also confirmed the positive test. She plans to appeal the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing she was unknowingly exposed to it through bodily contact. [58]
Research
Oral administration of LGD-4033 to cynomolgus monkeys at daily doses varying from 0 to 75mg/kg over 13weeks demonstrated significant body weight gain in both males and females. After 48days, the 75mg/kg dose testing was halted due to toxicity concerns, but this did not negatively impact development of the drug as this dose is significantly higher than the doses being utilized in a phase 2clinical trial.[59]
Two phase 1clinical trials of LGD-4033 have been conducted and reported.[11] The first was a single-dose study published as a conference abstract in 2010 and the second was a multi-dose study published as a journal article in 2013.[11][4][2] The multi-dose phase 1 trial published in 2013 reported that LGD-4033 dose-dependently improved lean body mass and muscle strength in 76healthy young men over 21days.[2] It was generally well-tolerated in this study, with no significant adverse effects reported.[2]
A phase 2 clinical trial, initiated on 3 November 2016, consisted of 108women and men recovering from hip fracture surgery.[8] The randomized study participants received either placebo or varying doses of LGD-4033 over a period of 12weeks, with improved lean body mass as the primary endpoint.[8] Other endpoints included satisfactory results in terms of quality of life, safety, and pharmacokinetics.[41] This study was completed and results reported in 2017 and 2018.[14][10][8] In the trial, LGD-4033 dose-dependently improved lean body mass and muscle strength and was reported to be safe and well-tolerated.[6][7][8] Placebo-adjusted lean body mass was increased by 4.8% at 0.5mg/day, 7.2% at 1mg/day, and 9.1% at 2mg/day after 12weeks.[8]
As of 2023, LGD-4033 has been less studied than other SARMs like enobosarm, with only three small phase 1 clinical trials and one phase 2 trial, or a total of four clinical studies, having been conducted and reported.[14][11][9][2][8]
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrsMachek SB, Cardaci TD, Wilburn DT, Willoughby DS (December 2020). "Considerations, possible contraindications, and potential mechanisms for deleterious effect in recreational and athletic use of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) in lieu of anabolic androgenic steroids: A narrative review". Steroids. 164: 108753. doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2020.108753. PMID33148520. S2CID225049089.
^ abcdefgMeglasson MD, Kapil R, Leibowitz MT, Peterkin JJ, Chen Y, Lee KJ, et al. (2010). "P8-2-7 Phase I clinical trial of LGD-4033, a novel selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM)". Endocrine Journal. 57 (Suppl 2 [14th International Congress of Endocrinology (ICE 2010), March 26-30, 2010, Kyoto, Japan]): S542. doi:10.1507/endocrj.57.S355. ISSN0918-8959. LGD-4033 is a potent SARM that binds the human androgen receptor with Kd =0.9 nM. In animal models, it has anabolic effects on skeletal muscle and bone, but spares prostate, sebaceous glands, and female genitalia. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, first-in-human Phase I trial, ascending single oral doses of LGD-4033 ranging from 0.1 mg to 22 mg were administered to healthy males. LGD4033 was safe and well tolerated up to the highest tested dose with no serious adverse events reported. LGD-4033 exhibited dose-proportional, sustained systemic exposure (AUC0-48hr: 24 to 7000 ng. hr/ mL for 0.1 and 22 mg doses, respectively). The elimination half-life (t1/2) was 31 hrs, indicating LGD-4033 is amenable for once daily dosing. PK-PD studies were conducted in orchiectomized (ORDX) rats, a model of androgen action, to determine the LGD-4033 efficacious exposure level. Subcutaneous minipumps were used to mimic the 10-fold longer t1/2 in humans vs. rats. A dose that produced an AUC of 80 ng. hr/mL restored the atrophied muscle mass of ORDX rats to the eugonadal level (270% increase in levator ani muscle weight with LGD-4033 vs. vehicle) and reduced the elevated luteinizing hormone level of ORDX rats by 98%. The efficacious range predicted by the preclinical model will be achieved by repeated daily doses ca. 0.25 mg in humans. Conclusion: LGD-4033 is a well-tolerated and highly tissue-specific, potential new treatment for sarcopenia (e.g., cancer cachexia or the frail elderly) and osteoporosis that is predicted to be effective using low, daily oral doses. A Phase I multi-dose study is in progress.
^ abGirgis CM (2019). "Sex Steroid Hormones and Osteosarcopenia". Osteosarcopenia: Bone, Muscle and Fat Interactions. Cham: Springer International Publishing. pp. 173–190. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-25890-0_8. ISBN978-3-030-25889-4. S2CID209246318. Other molecules have been developed including LGD-4033 which increased muscle mass and strength in healthy males after 3 weeks (Basaria et al. 2013) [...] Recently, a phase 2 trial on the agent VK211 demonstrated dose-dependent increases in lean body mass, and improvements in physical performance in patients who had sustained hip fracture (Ristic et al. 2018). Whilst SARMs hold great promise as anabolic agents that may offer an effective therapy for osteosarcopenia, long-term side effects of these agents are unknown, studies are generally small and of short duration. Regulation of these products poses immense challenges with their high uptake on the black market and via the internet as performance-enhancing, body-building agents, which may overshadow their potential mainstream application in disorders of aging.
^ abcdefghijRistic B, Harhaji V, Sirbu PD, Irizarry-Roman M, Bucs G, Sztanyi I, et al. (2018). "1072 VK5211, a novel selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), significantly improves lean body mass in hip fracture patients: results of a 12 week phase 2 trial". Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 33 (Suppl 1 [2018 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Palais des congrès de Montréal in Montréal, Quebéc, Canada September 28 – October 1, 2018]): S24. doi:10.1002/jbmr.3621. PMID30444937. Introduction Hip fractures are a leading cause of disability and morbidity in older people. Post-facture, an increased catabolic state often leads to loss of muscle, which can impair balance and endurance, potentially increasing the risk of further injury. Anabolic steroids have been shown to improve muscle mass in certain settings. Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) could be similarly effective in older patients who have suffered muscle loss following hip fracture, while potentially avoiding undesired side effects associated with broad-acting anabolic agents. VK5211 is a novel, non-steroidal, orally available SARM that has been shown to improve muscle mass and bone mineral density in animal models. In humans, a prior Phase 1 study demonstrated increases in lean body mass after 21 days of dosing. Purpose A 12 week study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of VK5211 in patients who had suffered a hip fracture. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, international Phase 2 trial was conducted to evaluate VK5211 in patients recovering from hip fracture. Patients were randomized to receive daily oral VK5211 doses of 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg, or placebo, for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint evaluated change from baseline in lean body mass, less head, in patients receiving VK5211 compared with placebo. Secondary and exploratory endpoints included changes in appendicular lean mass, bone density, and functional performance. Results A total of 108 patients were randomized (83 F, 25 M; mean age 77). Patients receiving VK5211 demonstrated significant increases in lean body mass, less head, after 12 weeks. Placebo-adjusted increases were 4.8% at 0.5 mg, 7.2% at 1.0 mg, and 9.1% at 2.0 mg (p < 0.005 for each). The proportions of patients experiencing at least a 2.0 kg increase were 14% with placebo, 57% at 0.5 mg, 65% at 1.0 mg, and 81% at 2.0 mg (p < 0.01 for each). Patients receiving VK5211 demonstrated improvement in certain measures of functional performance, including the 6-minute walk test and short physical performance battery (these endpoints were not powered for significance). The rates of adverse events were similar in cohorts receiving VK5211 as compared with placebo, and no drug-related SAEs were observed in VK5211-treated patients. Conclusion VK5211 was well-tolerated and produced improvements in lean body mass in hip fracture patients following 12 weeks of dosing. Further evaluation in this setting is warranted.
^Wu C, Kovac JR (October 2016). "Novel Uses for the Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Nandrolone and Oxandrolone in the Management of Male Health". Curr Urol Rep. 17 (10): 72. doi:10.1007/s11934-016-0629-8. PMID27535042. S2CID43199715.
^ abMohler ML, Nair VA, Hwang DJ, Rakov IM, Patil R, Miller DD (2005-10-28). "Nonsteroidal tissue selective androgen receptor modulators: a promising class of clinical candidates". Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents. 15 (11). Informa Healthcare: 1565–1585. doi:10.1517/13543776.15.11.1565. ISSN1354-3776. S2CID96279138.
^Hoffmann DB, Derout C, Müller-Reiter M, Böker KO, Schilling AF, Roch PJ, et al. (November 2023). "Effects of ligandrol as a selective androgen receptor modulator in a rat model for osteoporosis". J Bone Miner Metab. 41 (6): 741–751. doi:10.1007/s00774-023-01453-8. PMID37407738. S2CID259352099.
^ abcdeDalton JT, Taylor RP, Mohler ML, Steiner MS (December 2013). "Selective androgen receptor modulators for the prevention and treatment of muscle wasting associated with cancer". Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 7 (4): 345–51. doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000015. PMID24189892. S2CID35120033.
^Bhasin S, Jasuja R (May 2009). "Selective androgen receptor modulators as function promoting therapies". Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 12 (3): 232–240. doi:10.1097/MCO.0b013e32832a3d79. PMC2907129. PMID19357508. At the doses that have been tested, the first generation SARMs induce modest gains in lean body mass in healthy volunteers, which are nowhere near the much greater gains in skeletal muscle mass reported with supraphysiological doses of testosterone. The modest gains of 1.0 to 1.5 kg in fat-free mass with first generation SARMs over 4–6 weeks should be contrasted with the 5–7 kg gains in fat-free mass with 300 and 600 mg doses of testosterone enanthate. However, it is possible that next generation of SARM molecules will have greater potency and selectivity than the first generation SARMs.
^Bhasin S, Woodhouse L, Casaburi R, Singh AB, Bhasin D, Berman N, et al. (December 2001). "Testosterone dose-response relationships in healthy young men". American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism. 281 (6): E1172–E1181. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.2001.281.6.E1172. PMID11701431. S2CID2344757. The administration of the GnRH agonist plus graded doses of testosterone resulted in mean nadir testosterone concentrations of 253, 306, 542, 1,345, and 2,370 ng/dl at the 25-, 50-, 125-, 300-, and 600-mg doses, respectively. Fat-free mass increased dose dependently in men receiving 125, 300, or 600 mg of testosterone weekly (change +3.4, 5.2, and 7.9 kg, respectively). The changes in fat-free mass were highly dependent on testosterone dose (P = 0.0001) and correlated with log testosterone concentrations (r = 0.73, P = 0.0001).
^Fragkaki AG, Sakellariou P, Kiousi P, Kioukia-Fougia N, Tsivou M, Petrou M, et al. (November 2018). "Human in vivo metabolism study of LGD-4033". Drug Test Anal. 10 (11–12): 1635–1645. doi:10.1002/dta.2512. PMID30255601. S2CID263465407.
^Geldof L, Pozo OJ, Lootens L, Morthier W, Van Eenoo P, Deventer K (February 2017). "In vitro metabolism study of a black market product containing SARM LGD-4033". Drug Test Anal. 9 (2): 168–178. doi:10.1002/dta.1930. PMID26767942.
^Cox HD, Eichner D (January 2017). "Detection of LGD-4033 and its metabolites in athlete urine samples". Drug Test Anal. 9 (1): 127–134. doi:10.1002/dta.1986. PMID27168428.
^"Ligandrol". PubChem. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
^Iasuja R, Zacharov MN, Bhasin S (26 July 2012). "The state-of-the-art in the development of selective androgen receptor modulators". Testosterone: action, deficiency, substitution. Cambridge University Press. pp. 459–469. doi:10.1017/cbo9781139003353.022. ISBN978-1-139-00335-3.
^Geldof L, Pozo OJ, Lootens L, Morthier W, Van Eenoo P, Deventer K (February 2017). "In vitro metabolism study of a black market product containing SARM LGD-4033". Drug Testing and Analysis. 9 (2): 168–178. doi:10.1002/dta.1930. PMID26767942.
^Krug O, Thomas A, Walpurgis K, Piper T, Sigmund G, Schänzer W, et al. (November 2014). "Identification of black market products and potential doping agents in Germany 2010-2013". European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 70 (11): 1303–1311. doi:10.1007/s00228-014-1743-5. PMID25168622. S2CID111542.
^Cox HD, Eichner D (January 2017). "Detection of LGD-4033 and its metabolites in athlete urine samples". Drug Testing and Analysis. 9 (1): 127–134. doi:10.1002/dta.1986. PMID27168428.
^Thevis M, Lagojda A, Kuehne D, Thomas A, Dib J, Hansson A, et al. (June 2015). "Characterization of a non-approved selective androgen receptor modulator drug candidate sold via the Internet and identification of in vitro generated phase-I metabolites for human sports drug testing". Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. 29 (11): 991–999. Bibcode:2015RCMS...29..991T. doi:10.1002/rcm.7189. PMID26044265.
^Hansson A, Knych H, Stanley S, Berndtson E, Jackson L, Bondesson U, et al. (February 2018). "Equine in vivo-derived metabolites of the SARM LGD-4033 and comparison with human and fungal metabolites". Journal of Chromatography. B, Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences. 1074–1075: 91–98. doi:10.1016/j.jchromb.2017.12.010. PMID29334634.