Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
Targeting IGF-I, IGFBPs and IGF-I receptor system in cancer: the current and future in breast cancer therapy
Lathika Mohanraj1, Youngman Oh
1Oncogenomic and Proteomics Lab, Department of Pathology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0662, USA. yoh@vcu.edu
The IGF system plays a major role in growth, development and maintenance of homeostasis in normal cells and also contributes towards proliferation of malignant cells. Any disruption in the IGF system has its implications on growth retardation, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and cancer. Imbalances in the IGF axis are known to contribute towards the progression of breast cancer. Due to the ubiquitous nature of the components of the IGF system, targeting specific members of the axis has gained attention over the past decades. The most elaborately investigated component as a therapeutic target in the system is the IGF-IR and studies have been pursued to inhibit IGF-IR by the administration of monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Very recently, a novel cell death receptor that binds specifically to IGFBP-3 was identified. It has also been shown that the IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3 receptor may be impaired in breast and prostate cancer. In this review, we present the mechanisms used to target the IGF system in various diseased states, emphasizing on breast cancer. We further discuss currently available therapeutic approaches and summarize the latest patents published in the field of IGF-I/IGF-IR and IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3R systems.
The IGF system plays a major role in growth, development and maintenance of homeostasis in normal cells and also contributes towards proliferation of malignant cells. Any disruption in the IGF system has its implications on growth retardation, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and cancer. Imbalances in the IGF axis are known to contribute towards the progression of breast cancer. Due to the ubiquitous nature of the components of the IGF system, targeting specific members of the axis has gained attention over the past decades. The most elaborately investigated component as a therapeutic target in the system is the IGF-IR and studies have been pursued to inhibit IGF-IR by the administration of monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Very recently, a novel cell death receptor that binds specifically to IGFBP-3 was identified. It has also been shown that the IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3 receptor may be impaired in breast and prostate cancer. In this review, we present the mechanisms used to target the IGF system in various diseased states, emphasizing on breast cancer. We further discuss currently available therapeutic approaches and summarize the latest patents published in the field of IGF-I/IGF-IR and IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3R systems.
More Related Videos
11:13Exploring the Pharmacological Action and Molecular Mechanism of Salidroside in Inhibiting MCF-7 Cell Proliferation and Migration
Published on: June 9, 2023
07:48Utilizing Functional Genomics Screening to Identify Potentially Novel Drug Targets in Cancer Cell Spheroid Cultures
Published on: December 26, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Tumor Immunotherapy
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...