Expression and significance of IGF-1 and IGF-1R in thyroid nodules.

There are limitations in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules, especially follicular lesions, and their pathogenesis remains unclear. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) has been implicated in tumor cell apoptosis, transformation, invasion, and metastasis; however, its role in thyroid nodules is undetermined. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between expression of IGF-1 and thyroid nodule, and evaluate the role of IGF-1 in differential diagnosis and pathogenetic function of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.