Insulin-like growth factors and liver cancer risk in male smokers.
BACKGROUND
The liver is the primary source of circulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, yet the relation between IGFs and liver cancer is uncertain.


METHODS
In a case-cohort study within a cohort of 29,133 male smokers we examined associations of serum IGF-I and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 with liver cancer (50 cases).


RESULTS
Nonlinear associations between liver cancer and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were observed (P=0.04 and P<0.01, respectively), strongest association at lowest levels (odds ratio (OR)=0.2, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.1-0.7 for 80 vs 30 ng ml(-1) of IGF-I; OR=0.2, 95% CI=0.1-0.6 for 1400 vs 700 ng ml(-1) of IGFBP-3).


CONCLUSIONS
Low IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in male smokers are associated with increased risk of liver cancer.
Major
J M
JM
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20852, USA. Jacqueline.major@nih.gov
Stolzenberg-Solomon
R Z
RZ
Pollak
M N
MN
Snyder
K
K
Virtamo
J
J
Albanes
D
D
D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I