Expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor is associated with the favorable clinicopathologic parameters in small intestinal carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system has been known to play a critical role in tumor development and progression in many human cancers. However, the role of the IGF system in small intestinal carcinoma (SIC) has not been studied yet.

METHODS

We evaluated the expression of IGF1 and IGF1 receptor (IFG1R) in a total of 194 cases of SIC.

RESULTS

IGF1 expression was associated with well/moderate differentiation, better survival, lower pT, lower stage and no lymph node metastasis. IGF1R was more diffusely and strongly expressed in tumors with lower pT and lower stage.

CONCLUSIONS

IGF1 and IGF1R expression is associated with favorable clinicopathologic parameters and may involve early carcinogenesis of SICs. Target therapy for the IGF1R signaling pathway may not have a major therapeutic role in treating SIC.