The receptor for the type I insulin-like growth factor and its ligands regulate multiple cellular functions that impact on metastasis.
The receptor for the type I insulin-like growth factor (IGF-IR) has been identified as a regulator of cellular transformation and the acquisition of the tumorigenic phenotype. This article reviews recent evidence including the authors' own, which implicates this receptor and its ligands IGF-I and IGF-II in the regulation of multiple cellular functions that impact on the invasive/metastatic potential of cancer cells. These include cell survival, motility, invasion, growth potential in secondary organ sites, the induction of angiogenesis, and the acquisition of multiple drug-resistance. Collectively, this evidence identifies the IGF-I receptor/ligand system as a target for molecular anti-cancer therapy with potential benefits for a wide spectrum of human malignancies.
Samani
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Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Brodt
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P
D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000502:physiology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000503:physiopathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D019899:Paracrine Communication / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D020239:Receptor Cross-Talk / Q000502:physiology; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D016023:Integrins; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1