Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) system and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST): present and future

Histol Histopathol. 2014 Feb;29(2):167-75. doi: 10.14670/HH-29.167. Epub 2013 Oct 16.

Abstract

In the last decades, the concept that Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) axis plays a key role in several steps of tumorigenesis, cancer growth and metastasis has been widely documented. The aberration of the IGF system has been described in many kinds of tumours, providing several lines of evidence in support of IGF receptor type 1 (IGF1R) as molecular target in cancer treatment. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, commonly characterized in most cases by KIT and PDGFRA gain mutations. Beyond to the well recognized KIT and PDGFRA gain mutations, in the last years other molecular aberrations have been investigated. Recently, several lines of evidence about the involvement of the IGF system in GIST have been accumulated. The aim of this review is to report all current data about the IGF system involvement in GIST, focusing on the current clinical implication and future perspectives.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / metabolism*
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / pathology
  • Humans
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / genetics
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / genetics
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Somatomedins / genetics
  • Somatomedins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Somatomedins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha