somatomedin
(SOH-muh-toh-MEE-din)
A protein made
by the body that stimulates the growth of many types of
cells. Somatomedin is similar to
insulin (a hormone made in the pancreas). There are two
forms of somatomedin called IGF-1 and
IGF-2. Higher than normal levels of IGF-1 may increase the
risk of several types of cancer.
Somatomedin is a type of growth
factor and a type of cytokine. Also called IGF and insulin-like growth factor.