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The insulin-like growth factor pathway as a target for cancer therapy

Iker López-Calderero1, Elizabeth Sánchez Chávez, Rocío García-Carbonero

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain.

Clinical & Translational Oncology : Official Publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico
|May 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is a promising cancer therapy target. IGF-1 receptor inhibitors show safety and target inhibition in early trials, with encouraging efficacy data.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is implicated in cancer development and progression.
  • Targeting the IGF pathway presents a novel therapeutic strategy for malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the IGF system in human cancers.
  • To summarize the clinical development of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of experimental models and epidemiological studies on the IGF system in cancer.
  • Summary of data from clinical trials of IGF-1R inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • IGF-1R inhibitors, including monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are in clinical development.
  • Early clinical trials demonstrate acceptable safety profiles and target inhibition.
  • Emerging efficacy data for IGF-1R inhibitors as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy is encouraging.

Conclusions:

  • The IGF system is a viable target for cancer therapy.
  • IGF-1R inhibitors are progressing through clinical trials with promising safety and preliminary efficacy.
  • Further research is needed to establish the definitive role of these agents in cancer treatment.

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