The insulin-like growth factor system and colorectal cancer: clinical and experimental evidence.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to clarify the involvement of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in the development of colorectal malignancy.


METHODS
Medline searches were used to identify key articles relating the IGF system with the development of colorectal cancer.


RESULTS
The IGF system has been linked to colorectal malignancy by a convergence of data from epidemiological, clinical and laboratory-based sources.


CONCLUSIONS
Further work is needed to characterise the IGF system expression in the colon. Such clarification could lead to the identification of targets that can be manipulated for clinical advantage.
Davies
M
M
University Department of Surgery, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
Gupta
S
S
Goldspink
G
G
Winslet
M
M
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000502:physiology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D013002:Somatomedins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II