IGFBP3 and colorectal carcinoma: The IGF1/IGFBP3 axis was differentially expressed in the sera of CRC patients compared with healthy controls, where levels of IGF1 showed a marked decrease (P = 0.0002), whereas levels of its major binding protein IFGBP3 were substantially increased (P < 0.0001) in comparison with their levels in the healthy control group.