INSULIN-LIKEGROWTHFACTOR-1

Description

IGF-1 is a multifunctional polypeptide structurally related to proinsulin. IGF-1 promotes cell proliferation, differentiation, growth, migration, and survival through autocrine/paracrine and endocrine pathways. It mediates part of growth hormone actions and is essential for normal prenatal and postnatal growth.

Clinical Use

IGF-1 levels are routinely used for diagnosis in patients with suspected acromegaly or GH/IGF-1 deficiency. The US Food and Drug Administration approved recombinant human IGF-1 for the treatment of patients with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency. Due to its antiapoptotic and proliferative actions, the IGF-1 axis confers tumor cell resistance to anticancer therapy. Thus, inhibition of the IGF-1 signaling using monoclonal antibodies against IGF-1 and IGF-1R and tyrosine kinase inhibitors is a potential therapy for cancers. However, the overexpression or dysregulation of the IGF-1 axis is not the driver but rather secondary to another molecular event in tumorigenesis. Combining IGF-targeted agents with other agents may be a more effective therapeutic approach.