Genome-Wide Profiling of Laron Syndrome Patients Identifies Novel Cancer Protection Pathways
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Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
Published on: September 18, 2020
Haim Werner1,2, Lena Lapkina-Gendler3, Laris Achlaug4
1Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. hwerner@post.tau.ac.il.
Abstract:
Laron syndrome (LS), or primary growth hormone resistance, is a prototypical congenital insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) deficiency. The recent epidemiological finding that LS patients do not develop cancer is of major scientific and clinical relevance. Epidemiological data suggest that congenital IGF1 deficiency confers protection against the development of malignancies. This 'experiment of nature' reflects the critical role of IGF1 in tumor biology. The present review article provides an overview of recently conducted genome-wide profiling analyses aimed at identifying mechanisms and signaling pathways that are directly responsible for the link between life-time low IGF1 levels and protection from tumor development. The review underscores the concept that 'data mining' an orphan disease might translate into new developments in oncology.
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