title: The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis as an anticancer target in prostate cancer.
abstract: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in males. In recent years, several new targeting agents have been introduced for the treatment of advanced stages of the disease. However, development of resistance limits the efficacy of new drugs and there is a further need to develop additional novel treatment approaches. One of the most investigated targets in cancer research is the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, whose receptors are overexpressed in several cancer entities including PCa. In preclinical studies in PCa, targeting of the IGF axis receptors showed promising anti-tumor effects. Currently available data on clinical studies do not meet the expectations for this new treatment approach. In this review we provide a summary of preclinical and clinical studies on the IGF axis in PCa including treatment with monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Moreover, we summarize preliminary results from ongoing studies and discuss limitations and side effects of the substances used. We also address the role of the IGF axis in the biomarkers setting including IGF-binding proteins and genetic variants.
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Urology, Department of Urology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Heidegger
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Urology, Department of Urology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Massoner
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Urology, Department of Urology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Urology, Department of Urology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: helmut.klocker@tirol-kliniken.at.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Klocker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015195:Drug Design; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1
keywords: Biomarker; IGF targeting therapies; Insulin receptor; Insulin-like growth factor receptor-1; Prostate cancer