title: Epidemiology and biology of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) as an anti-cancer molecule.
abstract: The Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) signaling system plays a central role in cellular growth, differentiation and proliferation. IGFBP-3 is the most abundant IGF binding protein in human serum and has been shown to be a growth inhibitory, apoptosis-inducing molecule, capable of acting via IGF-dependent and IGF-independent mechanisms. Over the last decade, several clinical studies have proposed that individuals with IGFBP-3 levels in the upper range of normal may have a decreased risk for certain common cancers. This includes evidence of a protective effect against breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. In addition, a series of in vitro studies and animal experiments point towards an important role for IGFBP-3 in the regulation of cell growth and apoptosis. In this brief review, we discuss the biological role of IGFBP-3 and summarize the epidemiological and experimental evidence suggesting a role for IGFBP-3 as an anti-cancer molecule.
authors.affiliation: Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, 90095, USA.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: K-W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D002455:Cell Division; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000502:physiology*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II