IGFBP2 is one of six homologous proteins in the IGFBP family. Based on its ability to bind IGFs with high affinity, IGFBP2 can exert its functions by interacting with IGFs in the circulation to control the function and activity of IGFs, and prevent the interaction between IGFs and IGF receptors. Moreover, it can also bind to IGFs and confer an IGF-dependent growth inhibitory or stimulatory effect in many cell types. IGFBP2 also performs IGF-independent roles in cancer development and progression through a variety of molecular networks. Aberrant overexpression of IGFBP2 is associated with an aggressive phenotype of a broad range of human cancers, including glioma, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, breast, lung, colorectal, melanoma, liver cancer, gastric, rhabdomyosarcoma and leukemia. Moreover, high circulating IGFBP2 levels may serve as a usable diagnostic or prognostic tumor biomarker in many types of cancer, and is closely associated with relapse and a poorer outlook for patients with cancer
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