Alena Pidaničová, Vincent Nagy, Ľubomír Lachváč, Mária Tajtáková
Purpose: Brief review of recent literature about IGF system and its effect on prostate cancer occurrence and development. Material and methods: The authors summarize knowledge about interrelations between insulin like growth factors, their receptors and their binding proteins and about possible effect on prostate carcinogenesis in case of alteration in levels of several IGF system parts. The data are reached from available current scientific periodicals. Results: IGF system consists of two insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1, IGF-2), six binding proteins (IGFBP-1 to 6) and their proteases. Insulin-like growth factors regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis and so influence process of carcinogenesis. IGF-1 is potent stimulator of prostate cell tumor growth, independently to androgen status. IGFBP-3 modulates IGF-1 bioavailability by binding to IGF-1. Prostate specific antigen is an IGFBP-3 protease, which cleaves IGFBP-3. Dysregulation of IGF system is associated with high occurrence of prostate cancer, lung, and colon and breast cancer. There is a local production of IGF and IGFBP in prostate and IGF receptors expression on prostate cell surface, what signifies the role of IGF system in prostate carcinogenesis. Conclusion: Some epidemiological studies have proved the association between high IGF-1 level, low IGFBP-3 level, or IGF-1/ IGFBP-3 ratio and prostate cancer. Understanding mutual interactions between IGF system and prostate cancer cells could be asset to prostate cancer prevention and therapy.