Elevated serum levels of IGFBP-2 found in children suffering from acute leukaemia is accompanied by the occurrence of IGFBP-2 mRNA in the tumour clone

Br J Cancer. 1998 Aug;78(4):515-20. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1998.525.

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) are important modulators of IGF action. In 50 children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), we studied the serum levels of IGFBP-1,-2 and-3. The mean standard deviation score (SDS) values were estimated to be 0.7, 3.1 and -1.7 for the IGFBP-1,-2 and-3, respectively, compared with the normal range defined by a SDS from -2 to +2. IGFBP-1 and-3 were normal, but for IGFBP-2 we found a significantly elevated serum level compared with control groups (P < 0.05). However, during chemotherapy this increased serum IGFBP-2 normalized. In addition, we found a correlation between higher serum levels and the detection rate of the IGFBP-2 transcript in corresponding cells. In patients with ALL, the detection rates of IGFBP-2 mRNA were estimated to be 72% and 35% at the time of diagnosis and at day 33 of chemotherapy respectively; in the control groups (healthy children and children at their initial presentation of diabetes mellitus), the values were 28% and 33% respectively. Based on the correlation between IGFBP-2 serum levels and the corresponding gene expression as well as the normalization of IGFBP-2 levels during chemotherapy, we concluded that the increased serum level mainly originated from the tumour clone itself. Furthermore, possible functional consequences of elevated IGFBP-2 were outlined.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / blood
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 / blood*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 / genetics
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / blood
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / blood*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
  • RNA, Messenger