The Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF) Family and Breast Cancer

Issue title: Hormone Signaling Transduction and Breast Cancer

Guest editors: Charles Clevenger

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Perks, Claire M.^{; *} | Holly, Jeff M.P.

Affiliations: Division of Surgery, Department of Hospital Medicine, Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, BS2 8HW, UK | University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Claire M. Perks, Tel.: +44 0117 928 2128; Fax: +44 0117 925 2736; E-mail: Claire [email protected]

Abstract: The IGF family, composed of ligands, receptors, binding proteins and proteases, is critical during development and in the maintenance of normal tissue homeostasis. This review describes the role of the IGF system in the normal breast but focuses on the changes that occur in breast cancer. It discusses the cross-talk which can occur between the IGF family with other signalling pathways, including estrogen, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and integrins. It also describes various cell and animal models which have been developed to elucidate the function and significance of the IGF family in cancer with a view to developing potential therapeutics.

DOI: 10.3233/BD-2003-18106

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 45-60, 2003