Serum IGF-1 levels and its clinical significance in patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors before and after imatinib treatment

Abstract

Objectives To explore the serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in the patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors before and after imatinib treatment and to discuss its clinical significance. Methods The serum samples of 27 patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors were collected before imatinib treatment(before treatment group) and three months after imatinib treatment (after treatment group).The other serum samples were collected from 20 healthy volunteers who were accepting health examination (control group). The serum IGF-1 levels of the samples were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The mean serum IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in before treatment group than in control controls [(463.61±120.98) ng/ml vs.(115.75±39.27) ng/ml, t=12.355,P=0.000)]. Three months after imatinib treatment,the mean serum IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in after treatment group than in before treatment group [(244.64±100.11)ng/ml vs. (463.61±120.98) ng/ml, t=7.582,P=0.000]. Conclusions Serum IGF-1 levels may help to judge therapeutic effect,progression,recurrence or metastasis of the gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Key words: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors; Insulin-like growth factor Ⅰ; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay