Title: Pubertal Growth, IGF-1, and Windows of Susceptibility: Puberty and Future Breast Cancer Risk.

Authors: Biro, Frank M; Huang, Bin; Wasserman, Halley; Gordon, Catherine M; Pinney, Susan M

Published In J Adolesc Health, (2021 03)

Abstract: PURPOSE: Risk markers for breast cancer include earlier onset of menarche (age at menarche [AAM]) and peak height velocity (PHV). Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is associated with pubertal milestones, as well as cancer risk. This study examined the relationships between pubertal milestones associated with breast cancer risk and hormone changes in puberty. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study of pubertal maturation in 183 girls, recruited at ages 6-7, followed up between 2004 and 2018. Measures included age at onset of puberty, and adult height attained; PHV; AAM; adult height, and serum IGF-1, and estrone-to-androstenedione (E:A) ratio. RESULTS: PHV was greatest in early, and least in late maturing girls; length of the pubertal growth spurt was longest in early, and shortest in late maturing girls. Earlier AAM was related to greater PHV. IGF-1 concentrations tracked significantly during puberty; higher IGF-1 was related to earlier age of PHV, earlier AAM, greater PHV, and taller adult height. Greater E:A ratio was associated with earlier AAM. CONCLUSIONS: Factors driving the association of earlier menarche and pubertal growth with breast cancer risk may be explained through a unifying concept relating higher IGF-1 concentrations, greater lifelong estrogen exposure, and longer pubertal growth period, with an expanded pubertal window of susceptibility.

PubMed ID: 32888770

MeSH Terms: Adult; Body Height; Breast Neoplasms*; Child; Female; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I*; Longitudinal Studies; Menarche; Puberty