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A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion
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Small is beautiful: insulin-like growth factors and their role in growth, development, and cancer

Robert G Maki1

  • 1Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065-6007, USA. makir@mskcc.org

Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
|October 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are key to growth and development. New therapies targeting IGF-1 receptor show promise for cancer treatment, especially when combined with other pathway inhibitors.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) have long been recognized for their roles in growth and differentiation.
  • Interest in IGFs' role in cancer resurged with the development of targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the history and multifaceted roles of IGFs in biological processes and cancer.
  • To discuss recent clinical trials and future directions for IGF-targeting agents in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of IGFs' historical significance and biological functions.
  • Analysis of recent Phase I-II clinical trial data for IGF-1 receptor inhibitors.
  • Exploration of combination therapy strategies for enhanced efficacy.

Main Results:

  • IGFs are crucial for growth, development, and survival, and are implicated in various cancers.
  • Early clinical trials of IGF-1 receptor inhibitors have yielded mixed results, with some showing limited efficacy.
  • Combination therapies targeting IGF signaling alongside other pathways show potential for improved outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • IGFs play a significant role in both normal physiology and oncogenesis.
  • Targeting the IGF-1 receptor presents a therapeutic avenue for cancer, but requires optimized strategies.
  • Future clinical success may depend on combining IGF inhibitors with agents targeting cross-resistant signaling pathways.

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