Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor - a potential therapeutic target in medulloblastomas

Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2002 Oct;6(5):539-44. doi: 10.1517/14728222.6.5.539.

Abstract

Medulloblastomas represent nearly 25% of all paediatric intracranial neoplasms. These highly malignant tumours arise from the cerebellum and affect predominantly children between the ages of 5 and 15. Although the aetiology of medulloblastomas has not been elucidated, several reports show that the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) signalling system is highly activated in medulloblastoma cell lines, medulloblastoma animal models and medulloblastoma biopsies, suggesting its contribution to the development and/or progression of these tumours. In addition, reports from multiple laboratories confirm a critical role for the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in the process of cellular transformation. Taken together, these observations prompt the investigation of different strategies to impair the function of IGF-IR as a potential therapeutic tool, which by compromising growth and survival of medulloblastoma cells could supplement conventional therapeutic regiments against these malignant neoplasms of childhood.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / virology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • JC Virus / pathogenicity
  • Medulloblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Medulloblastoma / metabolism
  • Medulloblastoma / virology
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Polyomavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Tumor Virus Infections / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1