Age, sex, and smoking are predictors of circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3

Purpose: insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and its major binding protein ( IGF-BP3) have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of several malig nancies. However, anthropometric and lifestyle predictors of these hormones have not been elucidated Here we report the results of a cross-sectional s tudy. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study examines the relationship of a series of epidemiologic parameters (age, sex, height, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee drinking) with IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 in a sample of 130 healthy adults. Results: We observed that serum levels o f IGF-1 are higher, whereas levels of IGF-BP3 are lower, in men than in wom en. In addition, serum levels of IGF-l are independently and negatively ass ociated with age and positively associated with pack-year history of smokin g. Finally serum levels of IGF-BP3 are independently and negatively associa ted with the number of cigarettes smoked per day or pack-year history of sm oking. Conclusion: Age, sex, and smoking are independent predictors of IGF-1 and/o r IGF-BP3. The influence of these epidemiologic variables on the pathogenes is of disease states associated with IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 warrants further exp loration. (C) 1999 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.