Open Access

Insulin‑like growth factor in cancer: New perspectives (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Duoming Wu
    • Shi Dong
    • Wence Zhou
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 23, 2025     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2025.13574
  • Article Number: 209
  • Copyright: © Wu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The complex nature and heterogeneity of cancer present challenges for cancer treatment. As a class of single‑chain peptides, insulin‑like growth factors (IGFs) play key roles in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and metabolic regulation. IGFs promote the proliferation, migration and invasive ability of tumor cells and are closely associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, IGFs can influence the interactions between immune cells in the tumor microenvironment leading to immune escape. Moreover, the activation of signals associated with IGFs mediates the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. With the increasing incidence of tumor events, the desire for new therapies is becoming more urgent. This article comprehensively summarizes the molecular biological mechanisms of IGFs in tumorigenesis and the development of therapies related to targeting IGFs, with the hope of providing new insights into cancer treatment.
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August-2025
Volume 32 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Wu D, Dong S and Zhou W: Insulin‑like growth factor in cancer: New perspectives (Review). Mol Med Rep 32: 209, 2025.
APA
Wu, D., Dong, S., & Zhou, W. (2025). Insulin‑like growth factor in cancer: New perspectives (Review). Molecular Medicine Reports, 32, 209. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2025.13574
MLA
Wu, D., Dong, S., Zhou, W."Insulin‑like growth factor in cancer: New perspectives (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 32.2 (2025): 209.
Chicago
Wu, D., Dong, S., Zhou, W."Insulin‑like growth factor in cancer: New perspectives (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 32, no. 2 (2025): 209. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2025.13574