The role of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor axis in multiple myeloma

Abstract

Multiple myeloma remains a fatal B cell malignancy with severe clinical features such as anaemia and bone fractures, caused by the predominant localization of the myeloma cells in the bone marrow (BM). The MM cells first migrate towards the BM, followed by their clonal expansion and induction of angiogenesis and osteolysis. Insulin-like growth factor 1 or IGF-1 is a cytokine which plays a role in myeloma development. Besides serving as a growth and survival factor, it attracts the cells towards the BM, and is involved in the angiogenesis process. This makes the IGF-1R an interesting target for therapeutical interventions. Apart from mediating aspects of the malignant phenotype, it also appears not to be an absolute requirement for normal cell homeostasis. Various strategies targeting the IGF-1R have emerged with the two main strategies being blocking antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. After encouraging preclinical results both strategies are now in clinical trials.

Keywords::

• Myeloma
• IGF-1
• therapy

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the Stichting tegen Kanker, OZR-VUB, OZR/GOA48 and FWO-Vlaanderen. Eline Menu is a Postdoctoral Fellow of FWO-Vlaanderen and Els Van Valckenborgh is a Postdoctoral Fellow funded by an EU-MMSCNET grant.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.