INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR (IGF)-I,-II AND IGF BINDING PROTEIN-2(IGFBP-2) IN THE PLASMA OF CHILDREN WITH WILMS-TUMOR

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-I, -II and IGF binding protein-2 (IG FBP-2) have been measured in plasma of children with Wilms' tumour. Th e mean levels for total serum IGF-I and -II were not significantly alt ered in Wilms' tumour as compared with normal control plasma. However, the chromatographic profiles for IGF-I and -II in these groups were d ifferent with regard to the presence of IGF binding proteins and high molecular weight forms of IGFs; the high molecular weight form (9-15 k D) of IGF-II was significantly reduced in Wilms' tumour. Levels of IGF BP-2 were substantially elevated in serum from Wilms' tumour patients (1025 +/- 112 ng/ml compared with 416 +/- 44 ng/ml in controls), and i nversely correlated with the levels of high molecular weight forms of IGF-II. We suggest that IGFBP-2 measurements might be of value as a ma rker for monitoring this type of tumour, either as an adjunct to diagn osis or surveillance of tumour growth during therapy.