INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTORS (IGF) AND IGF BINDING PROTEINS IN BLOOD SERUM AND TUMORS OF OVARIAN TUMOR PATIENTS

Introduction. Insulin-like growth factor signaling system plays a major role in the development and progression of various malignant tumors including ovarian cancer, and its components are considered as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers and objects of the molecular targeted therapy. The aim of the study. Comparative evaluation of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II, and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP)-1, 2 and 3 content in blood serum and tumors of ovarian tumor patients and analysis of their associations with key clinical and pathological characteristics of ovarian cancer. Methods. IGF-I, II, IGFBP-1, 2 and 3 levels were measured with standard ELISA kits (Mediagnost) in blood serum and tumor extracts of 44 ovarian cancer, 12 benign and 11 borderline ovarian tumor patients. Control group comprised 33 practically healthy women. Results. Serum IGF-1 content in ovarian cancer patients was significantly lower, and IGFBP-1 content was higher than in all other groups. IGFBP-2 level was increased both in ovarian cancer and borderline tumor groups as compared to control and benign ovarian tumor patients. No significant differences were found between IGF/IGFBPs content in benign, borderline and malignant ovarian tumors. No significant associations were found between the majority of parameters studied and main clinical and pathological characteristics of ovarian cancer. Conclusion. Disturbances in IGFs/IGBPs balance were revealed in blood serum of ovarian cancer patients. IGFBP-2 proved to be a potential diagnostic serological marker with 90% specificity and 90% sensitivity.