Growth Hormone's Links to Cancer

Several components of the GH axis are involved in tumor progression, and GH-induced intracellular signaling has been strongly associated with breast cancer susceptibility in genome-wide association studies. In the general population, high IGF-I levels and low IGF-binding protein-3 levels within the normal range are associated with the development of common malignancies, and components of the GH-IGF signaling system exhibit correlations with clinical, histopathological, and therapeutic parameters in cancer patients. Despite promising findings in preclinical studies, anticancer therapies targeting the GH-IGF signaling system have led to disappointing results in clinical trials. There is substantial evidence for some degree of protection against tumor development in several animal models and in patients with genetic defects associated with GH deficiency or resistance. In contrast, the link between GH excess and cancer risk in acromegaly patients is much less clear, and cancer screening in acromegaly has been a highly controversial issue. Recent studies have shown that increased life expectancy in acromegaly patients who attain normal GH and IGF-I levels is associated with more deaths due to age-related cancers. Replacement GH therapy in GH deficiency hypopituitary adults and short children has been shown to be safe when no other risk factors for malignancy are present. Nevertheless, the use of GH in cancer survivors and in short children with RASopathies, chromosomal breakage syndromes, or DNA-repair disorders should be carefully evaluated owing to an increased risk of recurrence, primary cancer, or second neoplasia in these individuals.