CIRCULATING INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I AND PROSTATE CANCER RISK

摘要

Methods of predicting a propensity to develop prostate cancer are presented.The method consists of measuring the IGF status of anindividual. Individuals with high IGF status, as compared with normalreference range values, are at increased risk for developing prostatecancer. More particularly, the IGF status may be determined by measuring IGh-Ilevels and/or IGFBP-3 levels. High IGF and low IGFBPlevels are indicative of a high IGF status. A method of determining theprognosis of existing prostate cancers or of monitoring diseaseprogression involves determining the IGF/PSA status of an individual.Individuals with a high IGF/PSA status (both high IGF status andhigh PSA levels) tend to develop severe prostate cancer and have a pooreroverall prognosis.