Insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3, and breast cancer risk: observational and Mendelian randomization analyses with ∼430 000 women

Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and partners have published results showing that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is likely to play a role in the development of breast cancer. The article was published in the journal Annals of Oncology on 11 March 2020.

In one of two complementary studies, IARC scientists analysed data from almost 230 000 women using Mendelian randomization to examine genetic variants known to be associated with circulating concentrations of IGF-1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), which may modulate the availability of IGF-1.

The results of this analysis revealed a positive association between genetically predicted IGF-1 concentration and risk of breast cancer, suggesting that higher circulating IGF-1 concentrations may have a causal role in the development of this malignancy. These results provide strong support for a role of the IGF pathway in breast tumorigenesis and suggest that targeting the IGF system through dietary and lifestyle or pharmacological interventions may be an effective strategy in the primary prevention of breast cancer.

Murphy N, Knuppel A, Papadimitriou N, Martin RM, Tsilidis KK, Smith-Byrne K, et al.
Insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3, and breast cancer risk: observational and Mendelian randomization analyses with ∼430 000 women
Ann Oncol, Published online 11 March 2020;
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.01.066

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