Korean J Urol.  2001 Jul;42(7):713-717.

The Change of Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in the Diagnosis and Management of Prostate Cancer

• Kim HJ
• Hwang PH
• Yi HK
• Youm JH
• Lee DY

Abstract

PURPOSE: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) binds to IGF and acid labile subunit in blood, that regulates the action of IGF by modulating the interaction of IGF with the IGF receptor. Recent studies have shown that IGFBP-3 levels are decreased in prostate cancer patients. We examined IGFBP-3 profiles in prostate cancer patients and determined the effect of treatment on serum IGFBP-3 level in those patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Control groups were composed of age-matched healthy subjects and patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients with prostate cancer were divided into localized, locally advanced, metastatic and hormone-refractory. Serum samples were collected and stored at 70oC until use. The IGFBP-3 profile was measured by Western ligand blots.
RESULTS
The serum IGFBP-3 level in patients with prostate cancer was significantly lower than healthy subjects or patients with BPH. Following the treatment of prostate cancer, IGFBP-3 was increased compared to that seen in pretreated prostate cancer. In hormone-refractory prostate cancer, IGFBP-3 was decreased again. However, there was no correlation between IGFBP-3 and tumor stage or Gleason score.
CONCLUSIONS
These data show that IGFBP-3 levels are decreased in pretreated and hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Our results demonstrate that serum IGFBP-3 may be a useful marker in the detection and management of prostate cancer.

Keyword

Prostate; Cancer; Insulin-like growth factor; Protein; Tumor marker

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis*
Humans
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3*
Neoplasm Grading
Prostate*
Prostatic Hyperplasia
Prostatic Neoplasms*
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3