Serum levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) and their binding protein (IGFBP-3) are not elevated in pancreatic cancer.
CONCLUSIONS
Serum levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 are not elevated in pancreatic cancer and do not appear to have a significant role in glucose homeostasis in this group of patients.


BACKGROUND
The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been implicated recently in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, and increased serum levels of IGF-I or IGF-II have been reported previously in a number of other gastrointestinal malignancies.


METHODS
Serum levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 were measured by RIA in 20 patients with pancreatic cancer and 20 age-matched healthy control subjects and correlated with serum glucose, C-peptide, and glucose tolerance.


RESULTS
No significant difference was observed in serum levels of IGF-I (13 vs 17 nmol/L, respectively), IGF-II (0.67 vs 0.91 U/mL), or IGFBP-3 (2.3 vs 2.3 mg/L) between the two groups of patients. Twelve (60%) patients had impaired glucose tolerance, but no correlation was observed between the serum levels of the IGFs and glucose tolerance.
Evans
J D
JD
Department of Surgery, University of Birmingham, City Hospital NHS Trust, UK.
Eggo
M C
MC
Donovan
I A
IA
Bramhall
S R
SR
Neoptolemos
J P
JP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D005947:Glucose