INCULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTORS IN SERUM OF COLORECTAL CANCER PATIENTS

Introduction. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) signaling system plays a key role in development and progression of various malignant tumors, and its components may be considered as prospective diagnostic and prognostic markers and potential objects of targeted therapy. The aim of the study. Comparative assessment of IGF-1 and 2, and type 1 and 3 IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) levels in blood serum of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and practically healthy persons, and analysis of associations between the parameters studied and main clinical and pathological features of this disease. Methods. IGF-1 and 2 and type 1 and 3 IGFBPs levels were measured in pre-operative blood serum of 74 primary СRC patients and 30 practically healthy persons by standard ELISA kits (Mediagnost). Results. IGF-1 level was significantly increased and IGFBP-3 level – decreased in CRC patients' sera as compared to control group. Sensitivity of IGF-1 as a prospective diagnostic CRC marker at 140 ng/ml cut-off level comprised 80%, specificity – 75%. Significant negative association was demonstrated between patients' and donors' age and serum IGF-1 levels, but in CRC patients it was less pronounced than in control group. In male patients a significant increase of serum IGF-2 level as compared to control group was also observed. Some correlations between serum IGFs and IGFBPs observed in control groups were not found in CRC patients. No associations were revealed between serum IGFs and IGFBPs levels and main criteria of colorectal cancer progression. Conclusion. IGF/IGFBP system disturbances indicating to an increase of IGFs bioavailability were revealed in CRC patients.