IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels and their correlations with carcinoembryonic antigen in colorectal cancer patients

• Main Authors: Çiğdem Yağcıoğlu Yücel, Gönül Erden, Fatma Meriç Yılmaz, Sevilay Sezer, Esin Çalcı
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2018-03-01
• Series: Alexandria Journal of Medicine
• Subjects: Colorectal cancer; Carcinoembryonic antigen; Insulin like growth factor-I; Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3; Tumor marker
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090506816301592

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently seen cancers worldwide. Currently, CEA is the most commonly used tumor marker in colorectal cancer. The changes in IGF/IGFBP equilibrium is also known to cause carcinogenesis. In this study, we aimed to monitor IGF-I/IGFBP-3 levels, the changes in IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio and correlations of these peptides with the common tumor marker CEA. Materials and methods: 55 colorectal cancer patients and 35 control group patients were included in this study. Serum CEA, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels of all specimens were measured with chemiluminescence method. Results: In colorectal cancer patients, IGF-I levels was found to be increased, IGFBP-3 levels decreased and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio was increased; when compared to control group (p < 0.05). A moderately significant correlation was found between the conventional tumor marker CEA and IGF-I and IGF-BP3 (p = 0.001, r = 0.533 and p = 0.001, r = −0.573 respectively). Conclusions: IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio seems to be increased in the colorectal cancer patients. When considered with the moderate correlation levels of these peptides with CEA, this increase in IGF-I/IGF-BP3 ratio may be useful in monitoring carcinogenesis in colorectal cancer patients among with CEA but more detailed and extensive studies in larger study groups needed to be carried out.