ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Since insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are often used as markers for growth assessment, we compared the serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in children diagnosed with cancer with those in the healthy children. METHODS: Forty-nine children who were diagnosed with cancer and treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy were enrolled in the study. Sixty-four healthy children without any medical problems were enrolled as controls. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), height standard deviation score (HTSDS), serum IGF-I, serum IGFBP-3 and molar ratio of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age of children in the control group was 9.3+/-2.9 years and that of children in the cancer group was 8.8+/-3.3 years. There were no significant differences in mean height, weight, BMI and HT SDS between in the two group. Serum IGF-I levels increased with age in both groups, and the mean level of the control group was significantly higher than that of the cancer group. The mean serum level of IGFBP-3 in the control group was higher than that of the cancer group. IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio also increased with age in both groups and the mean level of molar ratio of the control group was higher than that of the cancer group. IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio in the leukemia group and the solid tumor group were not significantly different. Mean age, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations in the chemotherapy group were higher than those in the chemotherapy and radiation therapy group. CONCLUSION: The serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in children diagnosed with cancer, treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, were lower than those of the control group. In conclusion, the serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 can possibly be used as early markers of growth assessment in children with cancer treatment.