Usefulness of IGF-1 serum levels as diagnostic marker of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BackgroundThe role of IGF-1 in promoting cancer has been investigated for many years. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between rates of IGF-1 and NPC and to evaluate association of IGF-1 with clinical parameters.Materials and methodsIGF-1 levels was measured by Elisa test among 82 NPC patients and 60 healthy controlsResultsOur results showed, for the first time, a significant increased levels of IGF-I in NPC by in comparison with healthy controls (p < 0.01).According to the age, sex and tumor size of NPC patients, we demonstrated that IGF-1 concentrations are significantly higher in NPC aged over 30 years compared to patients aged less than 30 years (p < 0.01). The IGF-1 levels are, also, higher among women compared to men (p < 0.01).The concentrations of IGF-1 were positively correlated with tumor size of NPC patients (p < 0.01).ConclusionIGF-I could be a good nasopharyngeal cancer diagnostic marker.