Contribution of insulin‑like growth factor‑1 to tendon repair (Review)

Tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal disorder that markedly diminishes both physical performance and overall quality of life across age groups, imposing considerable socio‑economic burdens. Insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1) functions as a protective cytokine with significant involvement in multiple pathological conditions, including tendinopathy. The present review integrated current evidence on the role of IGF‑1 in tendon repair. IGF‑1 actively participates in every phase of tendon repair, making it a central driver of the injury response. When administered for tendon repair, IGF‑1 binds to IGF‑1R on target cell membranes, initiating sequential phosphorylation cascades that transmit signals from the membrane to the nucleus, while IGFBPs finely modulate this process. These intricate signaling pathways ultimately yield beneficial effects such as reduced inflammation, enhanced cell proliferation and migration and increased collagen synthesis, thereby promoting restoration of tendon structure and integrity. IGF‑1 has emerged as one of the most promising growth factors in tendon regenerative strategies. Nevertheless, clarification of critical parameters such as administration dosage and timing remains necessary to optimize its therapeutic value and to fully delineate its contribution to tendon repair.