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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
PubMed

Insights

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.
Keywords:
insulin receptorinsulin-like growth factorstype I IGF receptor

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