title: The Insulin/IGF System in Colorectal Cancer Development and Resistance to Therapy.
abstract: The insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is a major determinant in the pathogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Indeed, several components of this signaling network, including insulin, IGF-1, IGF-2, the IGF-binding proteins, the insulin receptor (IR), the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), and IR substrate proteins 1 and 2 contribute to the transformation of normal colon epithelial cells. Moreover, the insulin/IGF system is also implicated in the development of resistance to both chemotherapeutic drugs and epidermal growth factor receptor targeted agents. The identification of hybrid receptors comprising both the IR and IGF-1R adds further complexity to this signaling network. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the biological functions performed by each component of the insulin/IGF system is required to design successful drugs for the treatment of CRC patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo Giovanni
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Vigneri
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tirrò
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Stella
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pennisi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massimino
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stella
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania , Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manzella
keywords: IGF; IGF receptor; colorectal cancer; insulin; insulin receptor; insulin/IGF signaling; therapy resistance