IGF1

IGF1 Full Name

insulin-like growth factor 1

IGF1 Introduction

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a peptide hormone structurally similar to insulin and plays a central role in regulating growth, metabolism, and tissue development. It is primarily produced in the liver under stimulation from growth hormone (GH), forming the well-known GH/IGF1 signaling axis that coordinates systemic growth and cellular homeostasis. For many researchers and clinicians, understanding IGF1 is critical because disruptions in this pathway are frequently associated with complex diseases that are difficult to treat. At the cellular level, IGF1 binds to the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), activating downstream signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK, which regulate cell proliferation, survival, differentiation, and metabolism. These signaling cascades make IGF1 an essential mediator in normal physiological processes including skeletal development, muscle growth, and tissue repair, while also positioning it as a key molecular target in biomedical research focused on aging, metabolic regulation, and regenerative medicine.

Beyond its fundamental role in development, IGF1 has become increasingly important in understanding the mechanisms underlying cancer progression and treatment resistance. Recent research highlights that dysregulation of the GH/IGF1 axis can promote tumor cell survival and reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Studies have shown that elevated IGF1 signaling may enable cancer cells to develop resistance to widely used anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin, cisplatin, and paclitaxel by enhancing survival pathways and inhibiting apoptosis. Targeting components of this pathway, including IGF1R or growth hormone receptors, has therefore emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to restore drug sensitivity in malignancies such as ovarian and pancreatic cancers. In addition, emerging evidence indicates that metabolic disorders—particularly obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes—can alter IGF1 signaling, thereby increasing the risk of hormone-driven cancers. For example, recent research focusing on endometrial cancer suggests that IGF1 variants and estrogen signaling can interact to promote tumor growth and metastasis, highlighting the complex endocrine-metabolic networks that regulate cancer biology.

IGF1 is also deeply involved in neurological development and systemic disease, making it a molecule of broad biomedical relevance. In the nervous system, IGF1 supports neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis, and has demonstrated protective effects against neurotoxic damage and neurodegenerative processes. Studies investigating developmental disorders have shown that IGF1 deficiency may contribute to both impaired growth and neurological dysfunction. For instance, research in Down syndrome has linked reduced IGF1 levels with abnormal activation of neurodegenerative pathways, suggesting a connection between growth impairment and brain pathology. In addition to neurological effects, IGF1 participates in muscle regeneration, bone metabolism, and metabolic homeostasis, influencing conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and muscle wasting disorders. These diverse physiological and pathological roles highlight why IGF1 continues to attract attention as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target, offering new opportunities for developing interventions across oncology, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions.

Alternate Names for IGF1

IGF1; insulin-like growth factor 1; Igf-1; Igf-I; C730016P09Rik; insulin-like growth factor I; somatomedin;

• 1.Abdul Hafizz AMH, et al.; Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) and Its Isoforms: Insights into the Mechanisms of Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2025, 17(1):129.
  2.Araya P, et al.; IGF1 deficiency integrates stunted growth and neurodegeneration in Down syndrome. Cell Rep. 2022, 41(13):111883.