Review

IGFs and IGFBPs: surrogate markers for diagnosis and surveillance of tumour growth?

W Zumkeller

Department of Paediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle/Saale, Germany

Correspondence to:
Dr Zumkeller walter.zumkeller{at}medizin.uni-halle.de

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF receptors, and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) constitute the IGF system. Comprehensive data indicate that these factors play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis. Epidemiological data indicate that cancer risk is associated with high serum IGF-I values. Because dysregulation of the IGF system is a frequent pattern in malignancy, IGFs/IGFBPs might represent novel tumour markers that could be useful both for diagnosis and surveillance.

Key Words: insulin-like growth factors • insulin-like growth factor binding proteins • tumour marker

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