Insulin‑like growth factor in cancer: New perspectives (Review)

The complex nature and heterogeneity of cancer present challenges for cancer treatment. As a class of single‑chain peptides, insulin‑like growth factors (IGFs) play key roles in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and metabolic regulation. IGFs promote the proliferation, migration and invasive ability of tumor cells and are closely associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, IGFs can influence the interactions between immune cells in the tumor microenvironment leading to immune escape. Moreover, the activation of signals associated with IGFs mediates the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. With the increasing incidence of tumor events, the desire for new therapies is becoming more urgent. This article comprehensively summarizes the molecular biological mechanisms of IGFs in tumorigenesis and the development of therapies related to targeting IGFs, with the hope of providing new insights into cancer treatment.