Alterations in the insulin-like growth factor system during treatment with diethylstilboestrol in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Alterations in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-system were evaluated in 16 patients treated with diethylstilboestrol 5 mg 3 times daily. Fasting blood samples were obtained before treatment and after 2 weeks, 1 month and/or 2-3 months on therapy. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, free IGF-I, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 were measured by radioimmuno-/immunoradiometric-assays. All samples were subjected to Western ligand blotting as well as immunoblotting for IGFBP-3. We observed a significant decrease (percentage of pretreatment levels with 95 confidence intervals of the mean) in IGF-I [2 weeks 63% (49-79); 1 month 56% (44-73); 2-3 months 66% (53-82)], IGF-II [2 weeks 67% (56-80); 1 month 60% (52-68); 2-3 months 64% (55-75)], free IGF-I [2 weeks 29% (19-42); 1 month 25% (18-36); 2-3 months 31% (21-46)], IGFBP-2 [2 weeks 53% (18-156); 1 month 69% (61-78); 2-3 months 66% (57-78)], IGFBP-3 [2 weeks 74% (63-85); 1 month 69% (62-76); 2-3 months 71% (63-80)], as well as IGFBP-3 protease activity [2 weeks 71% (54-95); 1 month 78% (64-94); 2-3 months 71% (54-93)]. Contrary, the plasma levels (percentage of pretreatment levels with 95 confidence intervals of the mean) of IGFBP-1 [2 weeks 250% (127-495); 1 month 173% (138-542); 2-3 months 273% (146-510)] and IGFBP-4 [2 weeks 146% (112-192); 1 month 140% (116-169); 2-3 months 150% (114-198)] increased significantly. While this study confirms previous observations during treatment with oral oestrogens in substitution doses, the reduction in plasma IGF-II, free IGF-I, IGFBP-2 and -3 are all novel findings. A profound decrease in free IGF-I suggests a reduced bioavailability of IGFs from plasma to the tissues. These observations may be of significance to understand the mechanisms of the antitumour effect of diethylstilboestrol in pharmacological doses. Copyright 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com.