Insulin-like growth factors and proteasome activity in endometrial tumors

New data on a high expression of insulin-like growth factor -I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in endometrial tumors as compared to endometrial hyperplasia samples have been presented. A significant variability in the expression of specific IGFBPs proteinase (PAPP-A) in endometrial tumors was found. The reduction in the PAPP-A level with high level of IGBP-3 in low-differentiated carcinomas was observed. The level of IGF-I in non-invasive endometrial cancer was significantly lower then that in invasive cancer. The relationship between proteasome activity in non-transformed tissue and IGF-I level in the endometrial tumors was revealed. The levels of IGFBP-3 and proteasome activity were related with the age and menopausal status and the level of IGFBP-3 was related with hypertension in endometrial cancer patients.