Immunohistochemical pattern of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I, IGF II and IGF binding proteins 1 to 6 in carcinoma in situ of the testis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the immunohistochemical localisation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I, IGF II, and IGF binding proteins 1-6 in intratubular germ cell neoplasia in the vicinity of solid germ cell tumours of the testis.


METHODS
Testes were obtained from 13 patients (20-35 years old) who had undergone orchidectomy for treatment of a solid germ cell tumour. Tumour cells were verified histologically by their distinctive morphology and by visualisation of placental alkaline phosphatase immunoreactivity.


RESULTS
The majority of carcinoma in situ (CIS) cells were immunopositive for IGF I, whereas no CIS cells stained for IGF II. Of all the IGF binding proteins investigated, CIS cells showed intense immunoreactivity for IGF binding protein 5 and lower expression of all other IGF binding proteins.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the action of IGF binding protein 5 in CIS cells may modulate the activity of IGF I. This may be related to a proliferative advantage that could facilitate tumour development.
Drescher
B
B
Department of Anatomy, University Hospital Eppendorf, Germany.
Lauke
H
H
Hartmann
M
M
Davidoff
M S
MS
Zumkeller
W
W
D000328:Adult; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D018975:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5 / Q000378:metabolism; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000378:metabolism*; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
D018975:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D013002:Somatomedins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II