Insulin-like growth factor system and cancer

Abstract

Method of monitoring or diagnosing disease conditions, including disease of the prostrate, that involve measuring a combination of tumor markers and at least one component of the IGF axis. The invention is exemplified with prostate cancer and benign prostrate hyperplasia, the tumor marker prostate specific antigen and the insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins.

1 . A diagnostic method for discriminating between benign prostate disorders and prostate cancer in an individual comprising: 
 (a) making at least two measurements in a body fluid from an individual that has a benign prostate disorder or prostrate cancer, said measurements being selected from measuring an insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) concentration in said body fluid; measuring an insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentration; and measuring a prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration in said body fluid;    (b) calculating an indicator ratio based upon at least two of the measured concentrations, wherein the indicator ratio provides a means for discriminating between benign prostate disorders and prostate cancer in the individual; and    (c) reporting whether the individual has benign prostate disorder or prostrate cancer.    
   
   
       2 . The diagnostic method of  claim 1 , wherein the IGFBP-3 is total IGFBP-3 or intact IGFBP-3.  
   
   
       3 . The diagnostic method of  claim 1 , wherein the PSA is free PSA or total PSA.  
   
   
       4 . The diagnostic method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator ratio is selected from the group consisting of (IGF-I/PSA), (IGFBP-3/PSA), (IGF-I+IGFBP-3)/PSA, (IGF-I/IGFBP-3)/PSA, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The diagnostic method of  claim 4 , wherein the IGFBP-3 is intact IGFBP-3 or total IGFBP-3.  
   
   
       6 . The diagnostic method of  claim 4 , wherein the PSA is free PSA or total PSA.  
   
   
       7 . The diagnostic method of  claim 4  wherein the indicator ratio comprises IGF-I/PSA.  
   
   
       8 . The diagnostic method of  claim 4  wherein the indicator ratio comprises IGFBP-3/PSA.  
   
   
       9 . The diagnostic method of  claim 4  wherein the indicator ratio comprises (IGF-I+IGFBP-3)/PSA.  
   
   
       10 . The diagnostic method of  claim 4  wherein the indicator ratio comprises (IGF-I/IGFBP-3)/PSA.  
   
   
       11 . The diagnostic method of  claim 4  wherein the indicator ratio comprises (intact IGFBP-3/total IGFBP-3)/PSA.  
   
   
       12 . The diagnostic method of  claim 1  wherein the indicator ratio comprises (intact IGFBP-3/total IGFBP-3)/PSA.  
   
   
       13 . The diagnostic method of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring of each concentration is performed using a separate aliquot of the body fluid.  
   
   
       14 . A diagnostic method for discriminating between benign prostate disorders and prostate cancer in an individual, comprising measuring an insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) concentration in a body fluid from an individual that has a benign prostate disorder or prostrate cancer, and determining whether the individual has a benign prostate disorder or a prostate cancer based on said concentration.  
   
   
       15 . The diagnostic method of  claim 14 , wherein the IGFBP-3 is intact IGFBP-3 or total IGFBP-3.  
   
   
       16 . A diagnostic method for discriminating between benign prostate disorders and prostate cancer in an individual, comprising measuring an insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentration in a body fluid from an individual that has a benign prostate disorder or prostrate cancer, and determining whether the individual has a benign prostate disorder or a prostate cancer based on said concentration.