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Big babies and infant leukemia: a role for insulin-like growth factor-1?

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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 birthweight 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.

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Authors
  1. Julie A. Ross
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  2. John P. Perentesis
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  3. Leslie L. Robison
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  4. Stella M. Davies
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Additional information

Authors are with the Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Address correspondence to Dr Ross, Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School,. Box 422, 420 Delaware Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. Supported by a grant from the University of Minnesota Children's Cancer Research Fund and US NCI training grant T32 CA09607.

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Ross, J.A., Perentesis, J.P., Robison, L.L. et al. Big babies and infant leukemia: a role for insulin-like growth factor-1?. Cancer Causes Control 7, 553–559 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00051889

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