Insulin-like growth factors, insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins, and endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women: results from a U.S. case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF-2, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), or IGFBP-3 were associated with endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Between 1987 and 1990, we conducted a case-control study of 405 women with endometrial cancer and 297 matched population-based controls. This analysis included 174 postmenopausal cases and 136 controls.


RESULTS
In logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders, higher IGF-1 levels were not positively associated with endometrial cancer: odds ratio (OR) for the highest tertile versus the lowest tertile = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30-1.32. Endometrial cancer was inversely associated with IGF-2 (OR for the highest tertile = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.18-0.69) and IGFBP-3 (OR for the highest tertile = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21-0.77), and not associated with IGFBP-1.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum IGF-1, IGF-2, and IGFBP-3, but not IGFBP-1, were inversely associated with endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women. These associations and the potential role of the IGF system in endometrial proliferation and carcinogenesis warrant further research.
Lacey
James V
JV
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7234, Rockville, MD 20852-7234, USA. jimlacey@nih.gov
Potischman
Nancy
N
Madigan
M Patricia
MP
Berman
Michael L
ML
Mortel
Rodrigue
R
Twiggs
Leo B
LB
Barrett
Rolland J
RJ
Wilbanks
George D
GD
Lurain
John R
JR
Fillmore
Capri-Mara
CM
Sherman
Mark E
ME
Brinton
Louise A
LA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II