IGF-1 axis changes with ADT and docetaxel in metastatic prostate cancer

Praful Ravi1, Victoria Wang2, Raina N Fichorova3

  • 1Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Endocrine-Related Cancer
|September 6, 2023
PubMed

Insights

A higher insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to IGF binding protein 1 (IGF-BP1) ratio in men with metastatic prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) correlates with improved overall survival (OS). This ratio may serve as a predictive biomarker for treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a primary treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PCa).
  • The growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF-1) axis is implicated in prostate cancer development.
  • The role of the GH-IGF-1 axis in treatment response for metastatic PCa is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and its binding proteins with treatment outcomes in metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) patients receiving ADT.
  • To evaluate the potential of the IGF-1 axis as a predictive biomarker for overall survival (OS) and time to castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples from 560 patients in the phase 3 CHAARTED trial (ADT +/- docetaxel) were analyzed for IGF-1 and IGF binding proteins (IGF-BP1, IGF-BP3, IGF-BP4) at baseline, 6 months, and progression.
  • Statistical analysis assessed the relationship between IGF-1 axis proteins and key outcomes: time to CRPC and OS.

Main Results:

  • Significant increases in IGF-BP1, IGF-BP3, and IGF-BP4 were observed at 6 months in the ADT + docetaxel group.
  • A higher IGF-1:IGF-BP1 ratio at baseline and 6 months was significantly associated with improved OS in both ADT and ADT + docetaxel groups.
  • Meta-analysis with prior data confirmed that a higher baseline IGF-1:IGF-BP1 ratio predicts improved OS.

Conclusions:

  • The IGF-1:IGF-BP1 ratio shows promise as a predictive biomarker for overall survival in metastatic prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT.
  • Further research into the IGF-1 axis is warranted to explore its therapeutic potential and role in predicting treatment response.