Abstract.
The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are a ubiquitous family of growth factors, binding proteins and receptors that are involved in normal growth and development. They are also implicated in numerous pathological states, including malignancy. IGF-II is a commonly expressed growth factor in many tumors and may enhance tumor growth, acting via the overexpressed IGF-I receptor, a cell-surface tyrosine kinase receptor. The IGF-I receptor may be overexpressed due to mutations in tumor suppression gene products such as p53 and WT-1 or growth factors such as bFGF and PDGF. Thus, this family of growth factors, especially the IGF-I receptor, may present an excellent target for new therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer and other disorders of excessive cellular proliferation.
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Received 21 November 1999; received after revision 11 January 2000; accepted 9 February 2000
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Werner, H., Le Roith*, D. New concepts in regulation and function of the insulin-like growth factors: implications for understanding normal growth and neoplasia . CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 57, 932–942 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00000735
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00000735