IGFBPs and Breast Cancer

Issue title: Insulin Growth Factor

Guest editors: Doug Yee

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Perks, Claire M.^{; *} | Holly, Jeff M.P.

Affiliations: Division of Surgery, Department of Hospital Medicine, Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, BS2 8HW, UK | University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Claire M.Perks, Tel.: +1 0117 928 2128; Fax: +1 0117 925 2736; E-mail: Claire.M.Perks@bris.ac.uk

Abstract: The IGFBP family comprises 6 proteins with high affinity for the IGFs, there are also several much lower affinity IGFBP-related proteins. Their production in the breast is controlled by hormones, other local regulators and in tumours relates to the estrogen receptor status. Their functional activity can also be affected by various post-translational modifications, including proteolysis, phosphorylation and glycosylation. The IGFs are generally present at levels far in excess of that required for maximal receptor stimulation, and the IGFBPs are critical regulators of their cellular actions. IGFBPs can affect cell function in an IGF-dependent or independent manner. IGF bioactivity locally in the breast is influenced not only by local tissue expression and regulation of IGFs, IGFBPs and IGFBP proteases, but also by these factors delivered from the circulation. Changes in the balance of the components of the IGF system may lead to a disruption of tissue homeostasis.

DOI: 10.3233/BD-2003-17109

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 91-104, 2003