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Serum levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) and their binding protein (IGFBP-3) are not elevated in pancreatic cancer

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Summary

Conclusion

Serum levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 are not elevated in pancreatic cancer and do not appear to have a significant role in glucose homeostasis in this group of patients.

Background

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been implicated recently in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, and increased serum levels of IGF-I or IGF-II have been reported previously in a number of other gastrointestinal malignancies.

Methods

Serum levels of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 were measured by RIA in 20 patients with pancreatic cancer and 20 age-matched healthy control subjects and correlated with serum glucose, C-peptide, and glucose tolerance.

Results

No significant difference was observed in serum levels of IGF-I (13 vs 17 nmol/L, respectively), IGF-II (0.67 vs 0.91 U/mL), or IGFBP-3 (2.3 vs 2.3 mg/L) between the two groups of patients. Twelve (60%) patients had impaired glucose tolerance, but no correlation was observed between the serum levels of the IGFs and glucose tolerance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Birmingham, City Hospital NHS Trust, B18 7QH, Birmingham, UK

    James D. Evans & Ian A. Donovan

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, B15 2TH, Birmingham, UK

    Margaret C. Eggo

  3. Department of Surgery, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, B15 2TH, Birmingham, UK

    Simon R. Bramhall & John P. Neoptolemos

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  1. James D. Evans
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  2. Margaret C. Eggo
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  3. Ian A. Donovan
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  5. John P. Neoptolemos
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Evans, J.D., Eggo, M.C., Donovan, I.A. et al. Serum levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) and their binding protein (IGFBP-3) are not elevated in pancreatic cancer. Int J Pancreatol 22, 95–100 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02787466

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02787466

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