1 Background

According to GLOBOCAN data, colorectal cancer (CRC) is reported to be third deadliest and the fourth commonly diagnosed cancer in world [1]. CRC found liable for the 10% global cancer incidence leading to 9.4% of cancer deaths [2]. New cases of CRC reported 1.93 million diagnosed patients in 2020, and were estimated to cause 0.94 million deaths worldwide [3]. The increased incidence of CRC has been observed in developing countries [4], suggested the association with westernization [5]. There are multiple risk factors involve with the predisposition of CRC, including age, life style, dietary habits, obesity, lack of exercise, diabetes, use of alcohol, Cigarette smoking, history of CRC [6].

Genetic predisposition in CRCs have been observed 5–6% associated with germline mutation concluding to utilize biomarker for prognosis and response to treatment [7]. The etiology of CRC results from a number of steps of carcinogenesis, alterations in oncogenes, stimulate cell growth and promote carcinogenesis leading towards further complications and co morbid [8]. These changes can either be acquired, as happens in the random forms, or inherited, as in genetic hereditary syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome [9]. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a somatostatin is a hepatokine which regulates cellular mechanism [10]. The IGF family performs cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis and influence cell transformation through regulatory proteins synthesis [11]. IGF signaling pathway is induced when cell surface receptors like IGF-1R, IGF-2R bind to Insulin-like growth factor 1 and 2 (IGF-1,2) respectively, and activates phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3k)/Akt signaling pathway once stimulated [12, 13]. Any changes at the genetic level may result in insulin sensitivity [14]. Hence, the study aimed to find association of IGF-1 rs6214(C/T) gene variants, blood serum level with the susceptibility to CRC.

2 Methods

2.1 Subjects selection

On the basis of medical history and dignosed diseases. All patients found at metastatic stage IV. The patients were following the systemic chemotherapy (FOLFOX4 regimen) and were also evaluated by CTs and tumor markers after 3 cycles of chemotherapy.

2.2 Sample collection

Seven ml of venous blood was collected by venipuncture, divided into two vacutainers tube; 3 ml each was placed into EDTA containing tube.

2.3 Biochemical analysis

Biochemical laboratory investigations comprising of, liver functions test (AST, ALT), estimation of kidney functions (urea, creatinine), serum carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9 levels), and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. The Serum levels of CEA and CA19-9 were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Human CEA and CA19-9 ELISA kits, Chemux Bio Science, Inc., USA), serum IGF-1 level was quantified by using (Sun Red Biotechnology company) ELISA kit.

2.4 Genetic analyses

The tube contains EDTA as an anticoagulant that help to prevent blood clots. The genomic DNA was extracted by Zymo Research Quick-g DNA mini prepGenomic DNA purification kit (USA). The rs6214(C/T) gene polymorphism was analyzed by using the TaqMan allelic discrimination Assay technique (real time PCR).

2.5 Statistical analysis

The data collected was analyzed statistically by Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. Chi-square test was used to find the possible association for the qualitative variables. For quantitative variables, one way-analysis of variance test (ANOVA), student’s t test was used to calculate the statistical significance, while spearman’s correlation was applied for skewed distributed quantitative variables. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compared groups for the non-distributed variables. To observe the effect of risk factors as an independent variable, multiple regression analyses was also performed, while p value < 0.005 was assumed statistically significant.

3 Results

3.1 Clinical parameters

The clinical parameter were compared among studied group. The parameters considered in the study were ALT, AST, Urea, Creatinine, CA19-9, CEA, age and sex. Statistically significant difference between the studied groups, CRC patients and controls were found among C19-9, CEA and serum IGF-1 levels, while there was no significant change with respect to age, sex, AST ALT, urea and creatinine (Table 1).

Table 1 Comparison between the two studied groups according to different parameters
Full size table

3.2 IGF-1 rs6214(C/T) genotype distribution

Genotype distribution was observed among CRC and control which showed significant difference between groups and genotypes (χ2: 38.243, p < 0.001). It was found that wild type CC was frequent among controls subjects while variant CT and TT genotype was observed more frequent among CRC subjects as compared to healthy subjects (Fig. 1, Table 2). The strength of genotype association was also observed by calculating odds ratio. It revealed the risk associated with the variant genotype either as homozygous wild type or as heterozygous variant form. The odds ratio for both genotypes were found with the risk of developing CRC by 8.33 to 10.41 folds more with the variant forms as compared to wild genotype (Table 3).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Comparison between the two studied groups (colorectal cancer group (n.80) and control group (n. 80)) regarding to IGF-1 rs6214(C/T) genotypes

Full size image
Table 2 Comparison between the two studied groups according to genotypes and alleles of IGFrs6214(C/T) polymorphism
Full size table
Table 3 Odds ratio of different genotypes and alleles of IGF-1 rs6214(C/T) polymorphism
Full size table

3.3 IGF-1 rs6214(C/T) allelic distribution

The risk of allelic variation was also observed for both wild allele and variant allele. The wild allele was found more frequent in healthy control as compared to variant allele. The variant allele was more in CRC patients as compared to the healthy control which significantly found associated. The strength of association by means of odds ration showed the risk of developing CRC increases by 5.14 folds compared to wild type allele (Fig. 2, Tables 2, 3). Allelic discrimination plot was also observed, showing presence of all three genotypes CC, CT, TT, where variant genotypes CT and TT was found more in cluster compared to the wild CC genotype (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Comparison between the two studied groups (colorectal cancer group (n.80) and control group (n. 80)) regarding to IGF-1 rs6214(C/T) alleles

Full size image
Fig. 3
figure 3

Allelic discrimination plot showing CC, CT and TT genotypes of IGF-1 rs6214(C/T) polymorphism

Full size image

3.4 Association of clinical parameters with IGF-1 rs6214(C/T) genotype distribution

The association of clinical parameters including gender, age, ALT, AST, Urea, Creatinine, Ca19-9, CEA and IGF-1 levels were compared to CC, CT and TT genotypes. The significant statistical differences found between genotypes with the serum IGF-1, serum C19-9, CEA levels (Table 4, Fig. 4). The highest levels of serum IGF-1 levels were observed in TT homozygous variant genotype and CT heterozygous variant genotype compared to homozygous wild CC genotype (Fig. 4).

Table 4 Relation between IGF rs6214 genotypes and different parameters in colorectal Cancer group (n = 80)
Full size table
Fig. 4
figure 4

The levels of Serum IGF-1 in different genotypes of IGF-1 rs6214 in colorectal Cancer group (n = 80)

Full size image

3.5 Correlation analysis

A positive correlation (r = − 0.949 and p < 0.001) of serum IGF-1 levels with CEA and with C19-9 was observed (r = − 0.728 and p < 0.001) which showed significant association among these parameter as shown in Table 5 and Figs. 5 and 6.

Table 5 Correlation between IGF rs6214 with CA19.9 and CEA in colorectal cancer group (n = 80)
Full size table
Fig. 5
figure 5

Correlation between IGF rs6214 with CA19.9 in colorectal cancer group (n = 80)

Full size image
Fig. 6
figure 6

Correlation between IGF rs6214 with CEA in colorectal Cancer group (n = 80)

Full size image

3.6 Multivariate logistic regression

The multivariate logistic regression analysis for the risk of colorectal cancer that TT variant genotype of IGF-1 rs6214 represents to increase the risk of CRC by 10 times compared to CC wild type (odds ratio 10.417, CI 4.42–24.52), followed by CT genotype of IGF-1 rs6214 by 8 folds (odds ratio 8.33, CI 3.39–20.48). Similarly, the biochemical parameters showed significant CRC risk association with IGF-1 levels (odds ratio 1.12, CI 1.07–1.16) and C19-9 (odds ratio 1.09, CI 1.05–1.14) as shown in Table 6.

Table 6 Univariate and multivariate analysis for the risk factor of colorectal cancer
Full size table

4 Discussion

It has been reported that several molecules are implicated in oncogenesis, metastasis and treatment sensitivity. Increased IGF-1 bioavailability may, over time, surge the risk of developing CRC. IGF axis through its components may have role in colorectal carcinogenesis, also diet and other associated factors like physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and obesity may also increase the risk [15]. However, other studies couldn’t establish such finding [16, 17]. Although high levels of IGF-1 in CRC patients compared to controls were observed in this study representing the risk associated with the susceptibility to CRC. The significant association with the increased CEA levels in CRC also found in accordance with the [18], who reported high levels of CA19-9 and CEA in CRC patients in their study.

The association of IGF-1 polymorphism showed significant association with the CRC, where variant CT and TT were frequent in CRC patients compared to controls, while the presence of wild type CC genotype found more common in controls compared to CRC. The risk of developing susceptibility was observed to increase by 10.41 folds with TT genotype and with CT genotype the risk increase by 8.33 folds. The results were found in agreement with [19, 20]. The clinical parameters showed the positive correlation between serum IGF-1 and CEA levels (r = 0.94, p < 0.001), IGF-1 and C19-9 level in CRC patients (r = 0.72, p < 0.001) which significant association. However, Yilmaz et al. [21] reported the higher levels of CEA and CA19-9 in CRC patients but no significant association was found between IGF-1 levels with CEA or CA19-9. There are multiple biochemical and genetic alterations involved in the risk association of different types of cancers, for instance the current study showed IGF-1 polymorphism was found associated with the increased risk developing CRC. The obtained data highlighted the significance of targeted molecular detection to utilize them for clinical settings including prognostic, diagnostic purposes and further, for the personalized medicines. Therefore, the molecular signatures or the genomic profiling insights can be beneficial for treatment plan for CRC.

5 Conclusion

As the number of CRC cases increasing, it is posing a growing health concern globally. The molecular signatures or the genomic profiling insights can be beneficial for treatment plan for CRC. For promoting better lifestyle, a strategic management is required for providing awareness, proper screening methods including credential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers in order to reduce the CRC morbidity and mortality worldwide.