Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2026

Isolation, Culture, and Imaging of Human Fetal Pancreatic Cell Clusters
Published on: May 18, 2014
Is there a medical need to explore the clinical use of insulin-like growth factor I?
M O Savage1, C Camacho-Hübner, D B Dunger
1St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK. m.o.savage@mds.qmw.ac.uk
Cloning of the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) gene led to the development in 1987 of recombinant IGF-I available for clinical use. Trials were started targeting endocrine, metabolic and neurological disorders, and beneficial results have been demonstrated in IGF-I deficiency states caused by IGF-I gene deletion and growth hormone (GH) receptor deficiency, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and severe insulin resistance syndromes. Results of equivocal benefit have also been reported in osteoporosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Recent encouraging data using the IGF-I-IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) complex in diabetes mellitus suggest that this preparation may eventually replace recombinant free IGF-I. The lack of an established therapeutic indication for IGF-I has resulted in its supplies being severely limited. It will probably be decided during the next decade whether use of IGF-I or the IGF-I-IGFBP-3 complex becomes firmly established as an accepted endocrine therapy.
Cloning of the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) gene led to the development in 1987 of recombinant IGF-I available for clinical use. Trials were started targeting endocrine, metabolic and neurological disorders, and beneficial results have been demonstrated in IGF-I deficiency states caused by IGF-I gene deletion and growth hormone (GH) receptor deficiency, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and severe insulin resistance syndromes. Results of equivocal benefit have also been reported in osteoporosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Recent encouraging data using the IGF-I-IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) complex in diabetes mellitus suggest that this preparation may eventually replace recombinant free IGF-I. The lack of an established therapeutic indication for IGF-I has resulted in its supplies being severely limited. It will probably be decided during the next decade whether use of IGF-I or the IGF-I-IGFBP-3 complex becomes firmly established as an accepted endocrine therapy.
Related Concept Videos
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Production of Pharmaceuticals
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
