Insulin-like growth factor 1 signalling and its role in cell survival and radiation sensitivity.

ABSTRACT

Insulin like growth factor 1 signalling is a potent biological regulator for the growth and development in mammals. It controls tissue homeostasis throughout life via regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Increased insulin like growth factor 1 signalling stimulates proliferation, promotes metastasis, and causes radio-resistance of cancer cells whereas decreased IGF-1 signalling is associated with increased incidence of cancer and enhanced cellular radio-sensitivity. The important role of Insulin like growth factor 1 signalling as a pro-survival factor and its potential as a modifier of cellular radiosensitivity motivated research in the area of radiation oncology. Therefore this paper will review recent literatures on the insulin like growth factor 1 system and its role in cell survival and cellular response to radiation. The connection of IGF-1 signalling to classical pro-survival and anti-apoptotic signaling cascades will be reviewed.