Side-by-side · Research reference

ACE-031vsCJC-1295 (no DAC)

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED10/44 cited

BPhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED15/51 cited

ACE-031

ActRIIB-Fc Fusion · Phase 2 Halted

Phase 2Highest trial stage

2011Development halted

~58.4 kDaMolecular weightReichel 2025

SQ · Weekly dosing investigated

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant

100 mcgPer doseTeichman 2006

~30 minHalf-lifeIonescu 2006

Phase 1Evidence levelTeichman 2006 Sigalos 2018

SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ACE-031

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Primary target

Myostatin, GDF11, activin A — TGF-β superfamily ligands

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

Pathway

Soluble decoy receptor binds circulating myostatin/TGF-β ligands → prevents ActRIIB activation → SMAD2/3 pathway inhibition

GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006

Downstream effect

Disinhibition of myogenic signaling, increased skeletal muscle mass and strength

Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006

Feedback intact?

—

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

Origin

Recombinant fusion protein: human ActRIIB extracellular domain + IgG1-Fc fragmentReichel 2025

Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006

Antibody development

—

Not reported in short-term studies

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ACE-031

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Clinical dosing

Weekly or biweekly SQ injections (exact doses undisclosed pre-halt)

Phase 2 DMD trial protocol not fully published.

—

Black market products

Variable purity; 12/14 tested products contained target protein plus contaminantsReichel 2025

SDS-PAGE revealed multiple protein bands; quality control absent.Reichel 2025

—

Evidence basis

Phase 2 trial discontinued — incomplete dataset

Phase 1 (CJC-1295 with DAC); analog dataTeichman 2006 Ionescu 2006

No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.

Half-life

Days to weeks (Fc-fusion typical kinetics)

IgG1-Fc domain confers extended circulation time.

~30 minIonescu 2006

Short pulse vs CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). Choose no-DAC for pulsatile, DAC for sustained.

Duration investigated

12–24 weeks (trial cut short)

—

Standard dose

—

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

Frequency

—

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

Lower / starter dose

—

50 mcg per dose

Duration

—

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

ACE-031

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Epistaxis (nosebleeds)

Significant incidence in Phase 2 DMD trial — primary safety signal

—

Telangiectasia

Dilated capillaries / spider veins observed

—

Vascular abnormalities

Mechanism: ActRIIB/ALK1 pathway disruption affects vascular homeostasis

—

Injection site reactions

Local erythema, induration (biologics class effect)

—

Antibody development

Potential for anti-drug antibodies (Fc-fusion proteins); incidence not reported

—

Black market contaminants

12/14 tested products contained multiple unidentified proteins alongside ACE-031Reichel 2025

—

Injection site reaction

—

Erythema, mild pruritus

Flushing / headache

—

Common transient effect

Cortisol elevation

—

Minimal at standard doses

Prolactin elevation

—

Minimal

Glucose intolerance

—

Possible at high cumulative doses

IGF-1 elevation

—

Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic use

Cancer risk

—

Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

ACE-031

·History of vascular disorders (epistaxis, telangiectasia, HHT)
·Pregnancy (TGF-β pathway critical for fetal development)
·Active malignancy (myostatin inhibition may affect tumour growth)
·Use of non-pharmaceutical grade ACE-031 (contamination risk)Reichel 2025

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Active malignancy or cancer history
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Relative Contraindications

ACE-031

·Coagulation disorders or anticoagulant use (epistaxis risk)
·Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) family history
·Cardiovascular disease (vascular remodeling effects unknown)

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ACE-031

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

1. Pharmaceutical status

ACE-031 is not FDA-approved or commercially available. Phase 2 development was discontinued in 2011 due to safety concerns. Any ACE-031 on the black market is unregulated research chemical.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL. Roll gently.

2. Black market quality

12 of 14 tested black market ACE-031 products contained the target protein but also carried multiple unidentified protein contaminants detectable by SDS-PAGE. Two products contained no ACVR2B-immunoreactive material.Reichel 2025

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Detection in sport

ACE-031 is prohibited under WADA S4.3 (Myostatin Inhibitors). Gel electrophoresis and Western blotting using ACVR2B-specific antibodies can detect the ~58.4 kDa protein in biological samples.Reichel 2025

Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.

4. Clinical trial route

Phase 2 protocol used subcutaneous injections at weekly or biweekly intervals. Exact dosing protocols remain unpublished.

Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

ACE-031

— no documented stacks

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

+ Ipamorelin

Strong

View Ipamorelin →

CJC-1295 (no DAC) and ipamorelin are the canonical "GHRH + GHRP" dual-axis stack at physiological timing. Both peak within 30 min and clear within 2 hours, producing a sharp, high-amplitude GH pulse closely resembling natural physiology. Preferred over the CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin stack when pulsatility (vs sustained elevation) is the goal.

CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Pulsatile GH stimulation, recovery, body composition

Teichman 2006 Raun 1998