Abstract

HYPEREXPRESSIVE IGF SIGNALING SYSTEM: A MITOGEN FOR BREAST CANCER

Srinivasan N., Dr. Badmanaban R. and Bharat Mishra*

Abstract

Despite the major discoveries occurred in oncology the recent years, breast malignancies remain one of the most common causes of cancerrelated deaths for women in developed countries. Development of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -targeting drugs has been considered a breakthrough in anti-cancer approaches and eluded to the potential of targeting growth factors in breast cancer (BrCa) therapeutics. The Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) system was initially recognized as a potential target candidate in BrCa therapy. Despite the promising experimental evidence, the impression from clinical trials is rather disappointing. Several reasons may account for this and the last word regarding the efficacy of this system as a target candidate in BrCa therapeutics is probably not written yet. Herein, we provide the theoretical basis, as well as, a comprehensive overview of the current literature, regarding the different strategies targeting the various components of the IGF-1/IGF-1R axis in several Pathophysiological aspects of BrCa, involving the tumor micro-environment. In addition, we review the hyper activation of the IGF signaling pathway which is implicated in the development, maintenance, progression, survival and chemotherapeutic response of many types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. It is also discussed here that the future challenges, as well as, the development of novel molecules and strategies targeting the system and suggest potential improvements in the field.[1]

Keywords: IGF, Breast Cancer, BrCa, IGF-1R, HER2.