title: Plasma insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 proteolysis is increased in primary breast cancer.
abstract: Fasting blood samples were obtained before definitive surgery or biopsy in 128 patients referred to the department of surgery with suspected or manifest breast cancer. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II and free IGF-I were measured by radioimmunoassay/immunoradiometric assay, while IGFBP-3 proteolysis was evaluated by Western immunoblot. 12 patients had ductal carcinoma in situ benign conditions, while staging revealed metastatic disease in 15 of 16 patients with invasive cancers. IGFBP-3 proteolysis above the normal range was recorded in 19 patients with invasive cancers, but in none of the patients suffering from DCIS/benign conditions. Increased IGFBP-3 proteolysis was most frequently recorded in patients harbouring large tumours and metastatic disease (Stage I: 0/19, 0%; Stage II: 3/45, 7%, Stage III: 9/37, 24%, and Stage IV: 7/15, 47%). IGFBP-3 proteolysis was significantly higher in Stage III (P =0.01) and IV (P< 0.001) patients compared to the other stage groups (P = 0.001). IGF-I and IGF-II correlated negatively to IGFBP-3 proteolysis and age. Plasma levels of IGF-I and -II were significantly lower in patients with elevated IGFBP-3 proteolysis compared to those within the normal range. Our findings reveal alterations in the IGF-system among a substantial number of patients with large primary breast cancers.
authors: Department of Oncology, Haukelland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors: S I
authors: SI
authors: Helle
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Geisler
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Aas
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Paulsen
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Holly
authors: P E
authors: PE
authors: Lønning
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases