title: The growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-I axis and colorectal cancer.
abstract: The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis is an important modulator of growth and development, but in addition to their classical role as endocrine hormones, its components also regulate a wide range of biological functions through paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. Their potent mitogenic and anti-apoptotic effects play a critical role in the regulation of rapidly renewing epithelial cell populations such as those found in the colon. Recent evidence suggests an association between inappropriate regulation of the GH-IGF-I axis and the development of colorectal cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways responsible are only beginning to be unravelled, as are the relative contributions of the endocrine and autocrine or paracrine effects.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Surgery, Barts and the London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, UK E1 1BB. s.a.bustin@mds.qmw.ac.uk
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bustin
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000172:Acromegaly / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism; D017451:Receptors, Somatomedin / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008222:Lymphokines; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D017451:Receptors, Somatomedin; D013002:Somatomedins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D013006:Growth Hormone; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases