Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 21, 2025
11:13
Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
Published on: June 9, 2023
1.9K
Disrupting Insulin and IGF Receptor Function in Cancer
Jingran Cao1,2, Douglas Yee1,2,3
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 12, 2021
Summary
Targeting the insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system shows promise for cancer, but blocking IGF receptor alone is insufficient. Further research is needed to explore combined therapeutic strategies for better cancer treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is crucial for normal cell growth and survival.
- Dysregulation of the IGF system is linked to various cancers, including breast cancer.
- Preclinical data suggested IGF pathway inhibition as a potential cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of the IGF system in malignancies.
- To discuss limitations of current IGF-blocking strategies in cancer treatment.
- To explore future directions for targeting the IGF system in cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on the IGF system in cancer.
- Analysis of data from Phase III clinical trials of IGF signaling inhibitors.
- Examination of the interplay between the IGF system and the insulin receptor (IR).
Main Results:
- While preclinical studies showed promise, Phase III trials did not demonstrate significant benefits of blocking IGF signaling over standard care.
- Evidence suggests that targeting only the Type I IGF receptor (IGF1R) may be insufficient.
- The insulin receptor (IR) is also implicated as a relevant target in cancer.
Conclusions:
- Current strategies targeting only IGF1R are insufficient for effective cancer treatment.
- Combined targeting of IGF1R and IR may offer a more effective therapeutic approach.
- Further research is needed to develop novel strategies for targeting the IGF system in cancer.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
2.0K
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...
2.0K
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
7.4K
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...
7.4K
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
4.1K
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...
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.1K
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
5.3K
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
5.3K
01:22PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
4.7K
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast, mTORC2 consists of a...
4.7K
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
8.7K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.7K