INSULIN-RESISTANCE, INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR-I AND BREAST-CANCER - A HYPOTHESIS

Consideration of existing data regarding clinical and biochemical risk factors for the development of breast cancer leads to the hypothesis that enhanced insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) activity plays a si gnificant role in the development of this disease. Abnormal IGF-I acti vity may be related to events occurring prenatally, during puberty, or during adult life. Insulin resistance, a common feature in population s characterized by high caloric intake, may result in the amplificatio n of IGF-I action at the tissue level by altering serum concentrations of IGF-I binding proteins. Several approaches toward testing the hypo thesis are proposed, and potential opportunities for clinical applicat ion are described. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.