Korean J Urol.  2003 Mar;44(3):262-266.

Relationship of Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor I and Parameters in Patients with Prostate Cancer

• Cheon SY
• Hwang PH
• Kim HJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a ubiquitous peptide, which influences cell proliferation and differentiation in many tissues through the actions of endocrine, autocrine and paracrine. Recent studies have suggested that individuals with increased IGF-I levels have an increased risk of prostate cancer (Pca). We determined the serum IGF-I levels in patients with Pca to evaluate the clinical use of IGF-I.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The control group was composed of 60 age-matched healthy subjects, and the BPH group comprised of 40 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Serum samples were collected from the control and Pca groups, both before and during the hormonal therapy, and in the hormone-refractory state (n=103). The median PSA levels in the healthy subjects and the patients with BPH and Pca were 1.7, 2.9 and 71.9ng/ml, respectively. The median prostate volume in the healthy subjects and the patients with BPH and Pca were 17, 39 and 42gm, respectively. The IGF-I levels between the groups were compared, according to the age, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and treatment.
RESULTS
The median serum IGF-I levels in the healthy subjects and the patients with BPH and Pca were 61.4, 55.5 and 53.5ng/ml, respectively, with no statistical significance. The median IGF-I level during treatment for Pca (51.5ng/ml) was not significantly altered compared to that in the pretreated Pca. The median IGF-I level was lower in the hormone-refractory Pca (50.7ng/ml) than in the pretreated Pca, but this decrease was not statistically significant. There was no association between the serum IGF-I levels and PSA in the patients with BPH and Pca. No correlation was detected between the serum IGF-I levels and the prostate volume. There was no significant difference between the serum IGF-I levels and age.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest IGF-I is not a useful marker in the diagnosis and management of Pca.

Keyword

Prostate cancer; Serum; Insulin-like growth factor; Tumor marker

MeSH Terms

Cell Proliferation
Diagnosis
Humans
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I*
Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis
Prostate*
Prostate-Specific Antigen
Prostatic Hyperplasia
Prostatic Neoplasms*
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Prostate-Specific Antigen