The role of IGF-1 in gynecologic disease

Recent discoveries on endocrine,paracrine and autocrine involvement of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the proliferation of many tissues raised the attention of its role in reproduction and in the growth of various cancers as well as of benign proliferation. Studies show that IGF-1 is involved in the differentiation of various reproductive tissues, like endometrium and ovarian tissues. IGF-1 levels are higher in cases of severe endometriosis,however,in endometriosis and in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) IGF levels in the endometrium are reduced locally,which might explain how infertility be developed. Patients suffering from PCOS frequently show insulin resistance accompanied by an increase of action of IGF-1 locally in ovary and is related to clinical symptoms of PCOS. Perimenopausal women who exhibit high IGF-1 and low IGF binding protein (IGFBP) levels, like IGFBP-3,have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. A higher risk for cervical,ovarian and endometrial cancer is related to high IGF-1 levels in post-and premenopausal women.