Type I insulin-like growth factor receptor as a therapeutic target in cancer

Bradley S Miller1, Douglas Yee

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.

Cancer Research
|November 17, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) signaling is implicated in human cancers. Drugs targeting IGF1R are in clinical trials, and this review highlights key considerations for their advancement.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) signaling is frequently implicated in the development and progression of various human cancers.
  • Experimental models and population studies provide evidence linking IGF1R pathway dysregulation to oncogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of IGF1R signaling in human cancers.
  • To identify critical factors for the successful clinical development of IGF1R-targeting drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of experimental model systems and population studies.
  • Analysis of current drug development landscape for IGF1R inhibitors.
  • Identification of key considerations for ongoing and future clinical trials.

Main Results:

  • IGF1R signaling is a common pathway involved in multiple cancer types.
  • IGF1R-targeting drugs have been developed and are progressing through clinical trials.
  • Several key areas require careful attention to optimize therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • IGF1R remains a promising therapeutic target in oncology.
  • Careful consideration of specific clinical trial parameters is essential for advancing IGF1R-targeted therapies.
  • Further research and strategic trial design will be crucial for realizing the full potential of IGF1R inhibition in cancer treatment.

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways01:28

Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways

Insulin action is mediated through a receptor tyrosine kinase, akin to the IGF-1 receptor. The number of receptors per cell varies significantly, from 40 on erythrocytes to 300,000 on adipocytes and hepatocytes. The insulin receptor consists of linked α/β subunit dimers, forming a heterotetramer glycoprotein with two extracellular α subunits and two β subunits spanning the membrane. The α subunits inhibit the inherent tyrosine kinase activity of the β subunits, but this inhibition is released...