Decoding the Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 and Its Isoforms in Breast Cancer

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 25; no. 17; p. 9302
• Main Authors: Kotsifaki, Amalia, Maroulaki, Sousanna, Karalexis, Efthymios, Stathaki, Martha, Armakolas, Athanasios
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 27.08.2024
• Subjects: Amino acids; Animals; Apoptosis; apoptosis inhibition; Biology; Breast cancer; breast cancer (BC); Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cell cycle; Cell Proliferation; Chemical bonds; Clinical outcomes; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Female; Humans; IGF-1 isoforms; IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R); Insulin; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism; insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1); Insulin-like growth factors; Insulin-Like Peptides; Kinases; Metastasis; Peptides; Physiology; Protein Isoforms - metabolism; Proteins; Receptor, IGF Type 1 - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Tumorigenesis; IGF-1 isoforms; signal transduction; oncogenic signaling pathways; apoptosis inhibition; IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R); breast cancer (BC); therapeutic targets; tumorigenesis; cancer metasta-sis; insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1); novel anti-cancer agents
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179302

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) is a crucial mitogenic factor with important functions in the mammary gland, mainly through its interaction with the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R). This interaction activates a complex signaling network that promotes cell proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inhibits apoptosis. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular pathways and intracellular mechanisms activated by IGF-1, in cancer, remain poorly understood. Recent evidence highlights the essential roles of IGF-1 and its isoforms in breast cancer (BC) development, progression, and metastasis. The peptides that define the IGF-1 isoforms-IGF-1Ea, IGF-1Eb, and IGF-1Ec-act as key points of convergence for various signaling pathways that influence the growth, metastasis and survival of BC cells. The aim of this review is to provide a detailed exami-nation of the role of the mature IGF-1 and its isoforms in BC biology and their potential use as possible therapeutical targets.