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Big babies and infant leukemia: a role for insulin-like growth factor-1?
J A Ross1, J P Perentesis, L L Robison
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Insights
High birth weight is linked to infant leukemia risk. Researchers hypothesize that elevated insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) may contribute to both increased birth weight and leukemia development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Epidemiologic studies indicate a correlation between high birth weight and increased infant leukemia risk.
- The underlying biological mechanisms for this association remain largely unknown.
- Birth weight is positively correlated with circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the relationship between high birth weight and infant leukemia.
- To explore IGF-1's dual function in fetal growth and leukemogenesis.
Main Methods:
- This study is based on a review of existing epidemiologic and biologic data.
- Analysis of the correlation between birth weight and IGF-1 levels.
- Review of in vitro studies on IGF-1's effect on myeloid and lymphoid cells.
Main Results:
- Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is biologically linked to both growth regulation and blood cell development.
- IGF-1 stimulates the proliferation of both myeloid and lymphoid cells in cell culture.
- A positive correlation exists between birth weight and circulating IGF-1 levels.
Conclusions:
- Elevated prenatal insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) may be a contributing factor to both increased birth weight and the development of infant leukemia.
- High IGF-1 levels could potentially promote fetal growth and simultaneously increase the risk of leukemic transformation.
Abstract:
Several epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that high birthweight is associated with an increased risk of infant leukemia; however, the reason for this relationship is unclear. Biologic data demonstrate that birth weight is correlated positively with circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is important in blood formation and regulation and has been shown to stimulate the growth of both myeloid and lymphoid cells in culture. Since infants who develop leukemia are likely to have had at least one transforming event occur in utero, we hypothesize that high levels of IGF-1 may both produce a larger baby and contribute to leukemogenesis.