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CJC-1295

Also known as: CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 Without DAC, Mod GRF 1-29

Research Only

Molecular Formula

C152 H252 N44 O42 No D A C Fr Ba

Molecular Weight

3,367.9 Da (Non-DAC Free Base; DAC Free Base C165H269N47O46 ~3,647.28 Da)

Half-Life

5.4–9.2 days (for DAC form in healthy volunteers; human PK for non-DAC form unestablished)

Sequence

Tyr-D-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Gln-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Leu-Ser-Arg-NH2

Clinical Applications & Evidence

Mechanism of Action

CJC-1295 acts as an agonist at the GHRH receptor on anterior pituitary somatotrophs, activating Gs protein–adenylyl cyclase–cAMP signaling to stimulate growth hormone (GH) secretion and downstream hepatic IGF-1 synthesis. The DAC form produces sustained GH-axis stimulation with elevated trough GH levels rather than simple physiological pulses. Nonclinical mouse studies observed DNA-damage signals after prolonged GHRH analog stimulation, raising unquantified theoretical concerns for pituitary hyperplasia.

Investigated Uses

  • Pituitary GH & IGF-1 stimulation (Healthy adult volunteer single- & multiple-dose PK/PD trials for DAC form)
  • Growth hormone deficiency (Unproven in clinical trials; requires functional pituitary somatotrophs)
  • HIV-associated visceral obesity (Historical Phase 2 trial NCT00267527; terminated following a participant death from coronary artery disease)
  • Body composition & tissue recovery (Preclinical animal models; unproven in human clinical trials)
Early Clinical / Animal Models

Regulatory & Safety Status

FDA Status

Research Only

WADA / Athletic Status

Prohibited at All Times (WADA S4.4.1)

Known Side Effects

Injection site reactions (erythema, induration, itching, reported in ~70% of trial participants)Systemic vasodilatory reactions (flushing, warmth, transient hypotension, reported in ~30%)Headache, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, and increased heart rateHuman subcutaneous safety, long-term toxicity, and immunogenicity remain uncharacterized

Contraindications

  • WADA-tested athletes (Prohibited at all times under S2.2.4 Growth Hormone-Releasing Factors)
  • Active malignancy or history of cancer (Precautionary exclusion due to GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation)
  • Pregnancy and lactation (Unstudied safety profile)
  • Severe cardiovascular disease or baseline hypotension (Precautionary exclusion due to vasodilatory reactions)

Drug Interactions

  • Exogenous growth hormone or GH secretagogues (Theoretical additive GH/IGF-1 elevation)
  • Glucocorticoids (Theoretical blunting of GHRH-mediated GH response)

Citations & Clinical Trials

PubMed Prolonged Stimulation of GH and IGF-I Secretion by CJC-1295 in Healthy Adults (JCEM 2006) FDA FDA Briefing Document: CJC-1295 — PCAC Meeting (December 2024) PubMed Pulsatile GH Secretion Characteristics After Long-Acting GHRH Agonist Administration (2006) PubMed Nonclinical DNA-Damage Signals Following Prolonged GHRH Receptor Stimulation (JCI 2020) World Anti-Doping Agency WADA 2026 Prohibited List — S2.2.4 Growth Hormone-Releasing Factors