Expression of IGFBP2 in gastric carcinoma and relationship with clinicopathologic parameters and cell proliferation

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis is a complex system composed of two mitogenic ligands, IGF-I and IGF-II, two receptors, IGF-IR and IGF-IIR, and six binding proteins, IGFBP1 to IGFBP6. The IGFBPs exert their actions through their regulation of IGF bioavailability for IGF receptors. The present study evaluated the correlation between IGFBP2 expression and clinicopathologic parameters and cell proliferation in cancer by using surgically resected tissue specimens from 97 patients with gastric carcinoma treated at our hospital. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using IGFBP2 and Ki-67 monoclonal antibody. An obvious difference existed in the IGFBP2 expression between carcinomas and normal mucosa. Correlation between IGFBP2 expression and the depth of penetration, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage were observed. There was positive correlation between IGFBP2 expression and Ki-67 expression. We conclude that IGFBP2 may be involved in carcinogenesis and progression of gastric carcinoma by promoting cell proliferation.