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2757798 
Journal Article 
Review 
The type I insulin-like growth factor receptor pathway: a key player in cancer therapeutic resistance 
Casa, AJ; Dearth, RK; Litzenburger, BC; Lee, AV; Cui, X 
2008 
Yes 
Frontiers in Bioscience
ISSN: 1093-9946
EISSN: 1093-4715 
13 
3273-3287 
English 
18508432 
10.2741/2925 
The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) ligands stimulate cellular proliferation and survival by activating the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR). As a result, the IGF signaling system is implicated in a number of cancers, including those of the breast, prostate, and lung. In addition to mitogenic and anti-apoptotic roles that may directly influence tumor development, IGF-IR also appears to be a critical determinant of response to numerous cancer therapies. This review describes the role of the IGF-IR pathway in mediating resistance to both general cytotoxic therapies, such as radiation and chemotherapy, and targeted therapies, such as tamoxifen and trastuzumab. It concludes with a description of approaches to target IGF-IR and argues that inhibition of IGF signaling, in conjunction with standard therapies, may enhance the response of cancer cells to multiple modalities.