Serum levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs), -1, -2, -3, in oral cancer

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Serum levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs), -1, -2, -3, in oral cancer
Accepted 22 September 2006
G. Brady1, E. OÌRegan23, I. Miller3, A. Ogungbowale3, S. Kapas4, S.J. Crean5
International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract
Introduction
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) possesses mitogenic properties promoting cellular proliferation and inhibiting cellular apoptosis. Reported evidence suggests that cancer (non-oral) is associated with high circulating levels of IGF-1 and low levels of IGFBP-3.

Aims
This study measured circulating levels of IFG-1 and IGFBPs -1, -2 and -3 in oral cancer patients.

Methodology
Blood was collected from surgical patients and controls. Samples were assayed for IGF-1 and IGFBPs -1, -2, -3, using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISA; R&D Systems Europe, Oxon, UK).

Results
Twenty-seven oral cancer and 31 age- and sex-matched patients were recruited. Mean IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower in cancer patients than controls (85.3ng/ml and 2008ng/ml versus 191ng/ml and 2935ng/ml, P<0.001). In contrast, levels of IGFBPs 1 and 2 were significantly higher in cancer patients than in controls. No significant association was demonstrated with tumour size or nodal metastases.

Discussion
This study has shown that in contrast to other cancers, circulating levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 may both be lowered in patients with head and neck cancer.

Keywords: IGF, IGFBP, oral cancer
1 York Hospital, UK

2 Dublin Dental Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

3 St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

4 Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK

5 Prince Charles Hospital, North Glamorgan Trust, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales CF47 9DT, UK

Address: StJohn Crean, Prince Charles Hospital, North Glamorgan Trust, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales CF47 9DT, UK. Tel: +44 1685 728 814; Fax: +44 1685 728 144.

PII: S0901-5027(06)00381-X

doi:10.1016/j.ijom.2006.09.009

© 2006 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2007 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved

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