Intact and total insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in relation to breast cancer risk factors: a cross-sectional study
2008

Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-3 Levels and Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Sample size: 737 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Caroline Diorio, Jacques Brisson, Sylvie Bérubé, Michael Pollak

Primary Institution: McGill University

Hypothesis

Are intact and total IGFBP-3 levels associated differently with breast cancer risk factors among premenopausal women?

Conclusion

Different molecular forms of IGFBP-3 may have different relationships with breast cancer risk factors.

Supporting Evidence

  • Intact IGFBP-3 levels were negatively correlated with waist-to-hip ratio, parity, and alcohol intake.
  • Total IGFBP-3 levels were positively correlated with waist-to-hip ratio, parity, and body mass index.
  • Different associations were observed between breast cancer risk factors and intact versus total IGFBP-3 levels.

Takeaway

This study looked at how different types of a protein related to breast cancer risk in women. It found that one type of the protein is linked to different risk factors than another type.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study measured plasma levels of intact and total IGFBP-3 in 737 premenopausal women using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from self-reported data on lifestyle factors and the non-fasting state of blood samples.

Limitations

Levels of fragmented IGFBP-3 were estimated rather than directly measured, and the study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.

Participant Demographics

All participants were premenopausal women, with a mean age of 46.8 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

P < 0.0001 for several correlations.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/bcr2093

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