Volumen: 10 # Number : 1
Publication Date : Enero - Abril Year: 2006
Authors: Schillaci, Roxana; Becu-Villalobos, Damasia; Galeano, Adriana;
Sapia, Sandra; Bezares, Raimundo F.
Abstract: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized
by the accumulation of long-lived B lymphocytes blocked
in G0/1 by impaired apoptosis. Because insulin-like growth
factor-I (IGF-I) is known for its antiapoptotic effects in
different cell types, we investigated whether IGF-I participates
in autocrine/paracrine loop in CLL. Serum IGF-I was
elevated in CLL patients, but growth hormone was normal. CLL cells expressed IGF-I mRNA and secreted the growth
factor in vitro. Therefore, local production of IGF-I can
account for the increased levels of serum IGF-I, independently
of growth hormone, and may be related to autocrine/
paracrine control of lymphocyte survival. Moreover
stable patients who had increased levels of serum IGF-I
showed a shorter survival in a 4 years follow up. This
finding showed that serum IGF-I level in stable patients
could be useful as a prognosis marker in CLL.
Key words: Insulin-like growth factor, chronic lymphocytic
leukemia, prognosis
Pages : 13-19
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