The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor: A target for cancer treatment

The success of kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib (Glivec; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), targeting tyrosine kinase (TK)-c-abl, and monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech, South San Francisco, California, U.S.A.), interfering with the function of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)/Neu receptor, provides strong evidence for the disruption of signal transduction as an effective anticancer approach (1). Many other new agents are in the process of transfer into the clinic or are already approved [Bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech), Bortezomib (Velcade; Millenium, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.), Sorafenib (Nexavar; Bayer, Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westfalia, Germany), Sunitinib (Sutent; Pfizer, New York, U.S.A.)].