Moschos Stergios J, Mantzoros Christos S
Division of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass 02215, USA.
Oncology. 2002;63(4):317-32. doi: 10.1159/000066230.
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are important mediators of growth, development, and survival, are synthesized by almost any tissue in the body, and their action is modulated by a complex network of molecules, including binding proteins, proteases and receptors, which all comprise the IGF system. Evidence from in vitro and animal studies suggests that overexpression of IGFs by cancer cells and/or the nearby stroma as well as the type IGF-I receptor by the cancer cells may play a significant role in establishing a transformed phenotype in an increasing number of malignancies. More specifically, IGFs may promote cell cycle progression and inhibition of apoptosis either by directly associating with other growth factors or indirectly by interacting with other molecular systems which have an established role in carcinogenesis and cancer promotion, such as the steroid hormones and integrins. In addition, a growing number of epidemiologic studies suggest that increased serum levels of IGFs and/or altered levels of their binding proteins are associated with increased risk for developing several malignancies. These data indicate that IGF dysregulation should now be considered as an important independent factor for cancer risk, and a potential target for novel antineoplastic therapies and/or preventative strategies in high-risk groups.
胰岛素样生长因子（IGFs）是生长、发育和生存的重要调节因子，由体内几乎所有组织合成，其作用受包括结合蛋白、蛋白酶和受体在内的复杂分子网络调节，这些分子共同构成了IGF系统。体外和动物研究的证据表明，癌细胞和/或附近基质中IGFs的过表达以及癌细胞中IGF-I受体的类型，可能在越来越多的恶性肿瘤中建立转化表型方面发挥重要作用。更具体地说，IGFs可能通过直接与其他生长因子结合或间接与在致癌作用和癌症促进中起既定作用的其他分子系统（如类固醇激素和整合素）相互作用，来促进细胞周期进程并抑制细胞凋亡。此外，越来越多的流行病学研究表明，血清中IGFs水平升高和/或其结合蛋白水平改变与发生多种恶性肿瘤的风险增加有关。这些数据表明，IGF失调现在应被视为癌症风险的一个重要独立因素，以及高危人群新型抗肿瘤治疗和/或预防策略的潜在靶点。
