Gastroenterology. 1993 Oct;105(4):1218-37. Related Articles, Links
Insulinlike growth factors and binding proteins in colon cancer.
Singh P, Rubin N.
Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
Insulinlike growth factors (IGFs) express anabolic and mitogenic activity on wide variety of cells. Besides endocrine effects, IGFs have major autocrine and paracrine effects on many cellular functions. Two factors that significantly affect the extent of cellular response to IGFs include the membrane receptors for IGFs and the soluble binding proteins (BPs), which modulate the action of IGFs at the receptor level. IGFs, IGF receptors, and IGFs and their BPs (IGF-BPs) thus constitute three components of the IGF system.
A role of IGFs in the transformation and proliferation of cancer cells has become increasingly evident in the past few years. Studies from several laboratories show that all three components of the IGF system may play an important role in the proliferation of colon cancers. It was recently shown that the relative expression of IGFs and IGF/BPs may critically control the metastatic potential of colon cancers. The purpose of this article is to summarize our current knowledge of the IGF system and to present support for a significant role of IGFs in the initiation and growth of colon cancers. The expression and structural aspects of IGFs, their receptors, and BPs are outlined first, followed by a discussion of the role of IGFs in gastrointestinal functions and in colon cancers.
Publication Types:
• Review
• Review, Tutorial
PMID: 7691674 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Sounds like using igf if you have cancer is a bad idea, but if you don't then I don't see anything saying it will cause cancer...
Of course I just started looking...
(edited) look's like some scientist think I spoke too soon:
J La State Med Soc. 1999 Apr;151(4):218-23. Related Articles, Links
Insulin-like growth factors and cancer.
Yu H, Berkel H.
Section of Cancer Prevention and Control, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport, USA.
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) regulate important cellular activities involving cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Emerging evidence suggests that members of the IGF family, including IGF-1, IGF-2, the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), and the IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), play important roles in the development and progression of cancer. Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that IGFs are strong mitogens for a variety of cancer cells. IGF-1 also has an antiapoptotic action on cancer. IGF-1R, overexpressed in cancer cells, mediates the effects of IGFs and plays a role in cell transformation induced by tumor virus and oncogene products. IGFBPs inhibit the actions of IGFs and mediate the anti-proliferative effect of wild-type p53 protein, retinoic acid, vitamin D, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Findings from epidemiologic studies support the involvement of IGF in cancer etiology. Diet, nutrition, and other lifestyle features affect the expression and production of IGF-1 and other members of the IGF family. This may provide new approaches for cancer prevention. Growth hormone (GH) stimulates the production of IGF-1.
Use of GH replacement therapy to improve physiological and psychological well-being and to prevent aging-related diseases has been recommended. Given the close relationship between GH and IGF-1, the long-term safety of GH treatment warrants a serious concern. If they think that gh is dangerous in the long-term because it increases igf, I wonder if they would flip if they knew people are just using staight igf??
Publication Types:
Review
Review, Academic
PMID: 10234899 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]