title: IGFBPs and cancer.
abstract: The proposed insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) superfamily are a group of secreted proteins that are structurally, functionally and evolutionarily related, and include six IGFBPs and over 10 IGFBP-related proteins. The IGFBPs have high affinities for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), thereby modulating the mitogenic, anti-apoptotic and metabolic actions of IGFs. In addition, IGFBPs, particularly IGFBP-3, also have IGF-independent, anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic functions. The IGFBPs are, in turn, modulated by proteolysis. Epidemiological data correlating serum IGF/IGFBP levels with the risk of several human cancers suggest a possible protective role for IGFBP-3. In vitro studies suggest that the potential protective effects of IGFBP-3 involve both IGF-dependent and IGF-independent mechanisms. Further studies are necessary to demonstrate whether the ability of IGFBPs to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells under in vitro conditions has significant clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hwa
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins