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Impact of targeting insulin-like growth factor signaling in head and neck cancers

Kirsten H Limesand1, Alejandro Martinez Chibly, Andrew Fribley

  • 1Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. limesank@u.arizona.edu

Growth Hormone & IGF Research : Official Journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society
|July 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

The Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) system

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) system plays a complex role in tumor development.
  • Its impact on clinical outcomes varies significantly across different cancer types and stages.
  • Understanding IGF signaling is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical impact of IGF signaling in head and neck cancer.
  • To examine the efficacy of IGF-targeted therapies in this context.
  • To explore the role of IRS 1/2 signaling in therapeutic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on studies investigating IGF system components (IGF-1, IGF-1R) and IRS 1/2 signaling.
  • Analysis of reported correlations between IGF markers and clinical outcomes in head and neck cancer.
  • Evaluation of clinical trial data for IGF-targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Correlations between IGF-1/IGF-1R levels and head and neck cancer outcomes are inconsistent, showing both positive and negative associations.
  • IGF-targeted therapies have not yet shown significant clinical benefits in head and neck cancer.
  • IRS 1/2 signaling is implicated as a potential mechanism contributing to resistance against these therapies.

Conclusions:

  • The prognostic significance of the IGF system in head and neck cancer remains uncertain due to conflicting data.
  • Current IGF-targeted therapies lack demonstrated efficacy.
  • Further research into resistance mechanisms, such as IRS 1/2 signaling, is warranted.
Keywords:
AMP-activated protein kinaseAMPKAktClinical outcomesEGFEGFRHNSCCHead and neck cancerIGFIGF inhibitionIGF-1-RIGFBPIRSMAPKOCSCCPI3Kepidermal growth factorepidermal growth factor receptorhead and neck squamous cell carcinomainsulin receptor substrateinsulin-like growth factorinsulin-like growth factor binding proteininsulin-like growth factor-1 receptormTORmammalian target of rapamycinmitogen-activated protein kinasesoral cavity squamous cell carcinomaphosphatidylinositol 3-kinaseprotein kinase B, PKB

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