To explore the causative mechanism of gastric carcinoma and to investigate the roles of circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in gastric cancer. Materials and methods: Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were measured using a 2-site coated tube immunoradiometric assay. Results: Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 values in gastric cancer patients were significantly lower compared to those in the control group. The difference between serum IGF-I/IGFBP-3 in patients and the control group was not significant. Conclusion: The low serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels detected in patients with gastric cancer could be due to decreased synthesis or increased catabolism of IGF-I or both. It could be suggested that these parameters may be important in the development and prognosis of gastric cancer.

To explore the causative mechanism of gastric carcinoma and to investigate the roles of circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in gastric cancer. Materials and methods: Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were measured using a 2-site coated tube immunoradiometric assay. Results: Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 values in gastric cancer patients were significantly lower compared to those in the control group. The difference between serum IGF-I/IGFBP-3 in patients and the control group was not significant. Conclusion: The low serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels detected in patients with gastric cancer could be due to decreased synthesis or increased catabolism of IGF-I or both. It could be suggested that these parameters may be important in the development and prognosis of gastric cancer.