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Fig. 2 | Breast Cancer Research

Fig. 2

From: Circulating insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 and terminal duct lobular unit involution of the breast: a cross-sectional study of women with benign breast disease

Fig. 2

Hypothesized association between insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels, terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU) involution, mammographic density and breast cancer risk. Circulating IGF levels in the breast may influence the parenchymal composition and organization leading to alterations in the surrounding epithelial tissue whereby higher levels of IGF-I and IGF-I:insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) ratio result in higher TDLU counts, decreased TDLU involution and presumably increased breast cancer risk. On the other hand, higher IGFBP-3 and lower circulating levels of IGF-I:IGFBP-3 ratio may permit the involution process to proceed, resulting in age-appropriate TDLU involution and decreased risk of breast cancer. Higher mammographic density, a strong breast cancer risk factor, may modify the IGF/involution relationship such that IGF may exert its greatest influence on TDLU involution among women with the highest mammographic density. Red lines (top H&E image) (higher TDLU count) indicate the span of the TDLU as measured by an electronic ruler

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Breast Cancer Research

ISSN: 1465-542X

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