Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, -II and IGF binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) in the plasma of children with Wilms' tumour.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-I, -II and IGF binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) have been measured in plasma of children with Wilms' tumour. The mean levels for total serum IGF-I and -II were not significantly altered in Wilms' tumour as compared with normal control plasma. However, the chromatographic profiles for IGF-I and -II in these groups were different with regard to the presence of IGF binding proteins and high molecular weight forms of IGFs; the high molecular weight form (9-15 kD) of IGF-II was significantly reduced in Wilms' tumour. Levels of IGFBP-2 were substantially elevated in serum from Wilms' tumour patients (1025 +/- 112 ng/ml compared with 416 +/- 44 ng/ml in controls), and inversely correlated with the levels of high molecular weight forms of IGF-II. We suggest that IGFBP-2 measurements might be of value as a marker for monitoring this type of tumour, either as an adjunct to diagnosis or surveillance of tumour growth during therapy.