One of the six members of the IGFBP family, is a key protein in the IGF pathway. IGFBP-3 is the most abundant in the blood circulation. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), which is frequently used as a clinical tumor marker for prostate cancer, cleaves IGFBP-3.
Tumor Types:
IGFBP-3 expression can vary significantly across different cancer types. It is often downregulated in several malignancies, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer.
In some cases, low levels of IGFBP-3 are associated with tumor progression and poor clinical outcomes.
Tumor Suppressor Functions:
IGFBP-3 is often considered a tumor suppressor due to its ability to inhibit the actions of IGF-1 and IGF-2, which promote cell proliferation and survival. By binding to IGFs, IGFBP-3 can prevent their interaction with IGF receptors, thereby inhibiting their mitogenic effects.
High levels of IGFBP-3 are generally associated with a favorable prognosis in several cancers. For example, elevated IGFBP-3 levels in breast cancer and prostate cancer have been linked to better survival outcomes.
Conversely, low levels of IGFBP-3 are often associated with aggressive tumor behavior and poorer prognosis.
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