Insulin-like growth factor-I and risk of breast cancer.

Background :-Breast cancer is responsible for the death of millions of women worldwide every year. It is widespread in the world and Iraq that become a genuine problem for public health. The etiology of the disease is unknown. Genetic and hormonal factors are involved in the development of breast cancer and progression of the disease. Insulin like growth factor-ӏ (IGF-ӏ) have been implicated as essential in controlling cellular differentiation and tissue regeneration, through mitogenic , anti-apoptotic and increases cell migration so IGF-ӏpromotetumorigenesis. Objective:To evaluate the role of IGF-ӏ, insulin , estrogen and lipid profile in patients with breast cancer and their contribution to the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Subjects and Methods :This study included 60 patients with primary breast cancer age range (29-70) years and 60 age matched healthy controls . The subjects were selected from patients attending the Clinic Medical City/Baghdad Teaching Hospital / Oncology unit . Insulin like growth factor-I, insulin and estrogen were measured by ELISA. Results:Serum insulin like growth factor-I and insulin in breast cancer patients were significantly higher than healthy controls (p<0.01). The level of IGF-ӏ and estrogen are significantly higher in serum of premenopausal patients than the other studied groups( p<0.01). There were significantdifferences in cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (p< 0.01), while there was no significant difference in the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) between premenopausal patients and control (P>0.05), but there was a significant difference between postmenopausal patients and control group (P<0.01). . Conclusion :Insulin like growth factor-ӏ and estrogen level increased in the breast cancer in premenopausal patients , these results suggested that levels of serum IGF-I and estrogen together can be used as a predictive markers for breast cancer in the premenopausal women. Key word:Insulin like growth factor ӏ , Insulin, Estrogen, Breast cancer