Since the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP-1) gene promoter regulates blood glucose levels, the specific upregulation of IGFBP-1 mRNA might account for the disruptive effects of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on glucose metabolism in human hepatocytes and HepG2 human hepatoma cells. This evidence concerns the gene IGFBP1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.