Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
11:17

Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays

Published on: January 7, 2016

Is growth hormone resistance/IGF-1 reduction good for you?

Emily Jane Gallagher1, Derek LeRoith1

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1055, New York, NY 10029, USA.

Cell Metabolism
|April 5, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling influence aging and cancer. GH-receptor deficiency protects humans from cancer by altering GH, IGF-1, and insulin pathways, reducing cellular DNA damage and proliferation.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and insulin are key signaling molecules implicated in tumor development and aging processes.
  • Recent research highlights their independent roles in mediating these complex biological phenomena.

Discussion:

  • Two studies reveal that individuals with GH-receptor deficiency exhibit enhanced protection against cancer development.
  • This protection is linked to significant alterations in the GH, IGF-1, and insulin signaling pathways.
  • These pathway modifications appear to reduce cellular susceptibility to DNA damage and uncontrolled proliferation, hallmarks of cancer.

Key Insights:

  • GH-receptor deficiency confers cancer resistance in humans.
  • Altered GH, IGF-1, and insulin signaling are central to this protective effect.
  • Reduced DNA damage and abnormal cell proliferation contribute to decreased cancer susceptibility.

Outlook:

  • Further investigation into GH, IGF-1, and insulin signaling could reveal novel therapeutic targets for cancer prevention and treatment.
  • Understanding these pathways may also offer insights into mitigating age-related diseases.
  • Targeting these endocrine axes presents a promising avenue for future research in longevity and cancer therapeutics.

Related Concept Videos

Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy01:26

Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy is the increase in the size of individual cells, resulting in the enlargement of a tissue or organ. Unlike hyperplasia, which involves an increase in cell number, hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in cell volume. This process often occurs in response to higher functional demand or hormonal stimulation, leading to the production of more structural proteins and organelles, thereby enhancing the cells' work capacity.There are two primary types of hypertrophy: physiological...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Target Cell Response to Hormones01:22

Target Cell Response to Hormones

Hormones intricately bind to receptors on the surface or within target cells, initiating a cascade of cellular responses.
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...