IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR-1 RECEPTORS IN BENIGN AND MALIGNANT-TISSUES OF THE FEMALE GENITAL-TRACT

The distribution of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) receptors in the female genital tract was examined by immunohistochemistry. The mon oclonal antibody alpha-IR-3, which binds to the alpha-subunits of the IGF-1 receptor, was used for specific binding and the peroxidase-antip eroxidase method was used for staining. IGF-1 receptors were consisten tly detected in the epithelium of cervix, endometrium and the fallopia n tube. Furthermore, high expression of the IGF-1 receptors was found in ovarian cancer tissue, where predominantly the stromal cells around the vessels gave an intense staining. Since the expression of the 1GF -1 receptors in tumor epithelium was only weak and inconsistent, it is tempting to speculate that the stromal compartment in ovarian cancer is the target tissue for the effects of IGF-1.