Dynamics of changes in type 1 and 2 insulin-like growth factors in the blood of patients with oral squamous cell cancer after targeted therapy with cetuximab

Objective. Studying the blood levels of type 1 and 2 insulin-like growth factors in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and mouth floor mucosa depending on the therapy effect. Materials and Methods. The study included data from 30 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and mouth floor mucosa T3-4N0-1M0 who received chemotherapy cycles together with targeted therapy with cetuximab. Twenty non-cancer donors were examined as well. Depending on the therapy effect, patients were divided into two groups: sensitive and resistant ones. Results. Initial levels of IGF-1 and IGF-2 in the blood serum of patients prior to chemotherapy and targeted therapy with cetuximab were lower than the levels in donors by 53.5 % and 20.3 %, respectively. After chemotherapy and cetuximab therapy, patients with sensitivity to the treatment showed normalization of IGF-1 and its significant increase compared to the initial levels - by 87 %. Levels of IGF-2 were not statistically significantly different from the initial levels and were 32.5 % lower than in donors. The IGF-1 / IGF-2 coefficient was 58 % higher than the initial value. Conclusions. Chemotherapy and cetuximab therapy normalized levels of IGF-1 in patients with sensitivity to the treatment which was demonstrated by an increase in IGF-1 up to the normal blood levels in effective treatment