Growth hormone for rejuvenation... and a high risk of dying from cancer

An increased content of the most important hormone in the blood increases the risk of death from cancerDmitry Safin, Compulenta 

Researchers from the University of California at San Diego and the National Cancer Research Institute (both in the USA) have shown that elderly people who have a high concentration of insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1) in their blood serum are more likely to die from cancer.

IGF-1 is produced under the control of growth hormone. The content of both hormones in the blood decreases with age, and some experts suggest artificially maintaining the level of IGF-1, believing that this will help slow down aging.

The authors analyzed data from a study involving more than 600 men over the age of 50. From 1988 to 1991, blood tests were taken from them and the content of IGF-1 in serum was determined, and their health was monitored until July 2006. 368 people have died in 18 years, with cancer causing 74 deaths.

As it turned out, people whose IGF-1 concentration exceeded 100 ng/ml were at twice the risk of dying from cancer during these 18 years than men with a lower IGF-1 content.

"The results obtained cannot be explained by differences in age, body size or lifestyle characteristics of patients," says lead author of the study Jacqueline Major. "If these data are confirmed, IGF-1 can become a biomarker of great prognostic value."

Article by Jacqueline M. Major et al. Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and Cancer Mortality in Older Men is published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Prepared according to the materials of the Society of Endocrinology: Hormone thought to slow aging associated with increased risk of cancer death.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru04.03.2010