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Colorectal cancer
Plasma insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, and risk of colorectal cancer: a prospective study in northern Sweden
  1. R Palmqvist1,
  2. G Hallmans2,
  3. S Rinaldi3,
  4. C Biessy3,
  5. R Stenling1,
  6. E Riboli3,
  7. R Kaaks3
  1. 1Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
  2. 2Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Nutritional Research, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
  3. 3International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France
  1. Correspondence to:
    R Kaaks, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon, Cedex 08, France;
    kaaks{at}iarc.fr

Abstract

Background: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) has antiapoptotic and mitogenic effects on various cell types, and raised IGF-1 levels are increasingly being implicated as potential risk factors for cancer.

Aims: To examine the relationship between IGF-1 and its major plasma binding protein, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and the risk of colorectal cancer.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study nested within the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Cohort. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were measured in prediagnostic plasma samples from 168 men and women who developed cancers of the colon (n=110) or rectum (n=58), and from 336 matched controls.

Results: Conditional logistic regression analyses showed an increase in colon cancer risk with increasing levels of IGF-1 (odds ratios (ORs) 1.00, 1.89, 2.30, 2.66; ptrend=0.03) and IGFBP-3 (ORs 1.00, 0.91, 1.80, 1.93; ptrend=0.02). Rectal cancer risk was inversely related to levels of IGF-1 (ORs 1.00, 0.45, 0.33, 0.33; ptrend=0.09) and IGFBP-3 (ORs 1.00, 0.75, 0.66, 0.49; ptrend=0.21). Mutual adjustments between IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 did not materially alter these relationships.

Conclusions: These results support earlier findings of increased risk of colon cancer in subjects with elevated plasma IGF-1. Our results however do not support the hypothesis that the risk of rectal cancer could also be directly related to IGF-1 levels.

  • insulin-like growth factor
  • colorectal cancer
  • IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1
  • IGF1-R, IGF-1 receptor
  • IGFBP-3, IGF binding protein 3
  • GH, growth hormone
  • VIP, Västerbotten Intervention Project
  • MONICA, Monitoring of Trends and Cardiovascular Disease Study
  • MSP, Mammary Screening Project
  • BMI, body mass index
  • OR, odds ratio
  • IRMA, immunoradiometric assay

https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.50.5.642

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    • Digest
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      Gut 2002; 50 585-585 Published Online First: 01 May 2002. doi: 10.1136/gut.50.5.585-a