IGFBP3 and breast carcinoma: Previous studies have suggested that IGFBP-3 expression increases with age in human dermal fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and umbilical vein endothelial cells22–24, as well as in breast cancer cells treated with chemotherapeutic drugs26 and premature senescent fibroblasts exposed to tert-butylhydroperoxide and ethanol48.