ABSTRACT
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling has been linked to practically all solid malignancies to date as a cause of tumor growth. However, it is still unclear how sex hormones, the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), and its ligands (IGF-1 and IGF-2) interact to such a remarkable degree in endocrine-driven diseases. Similar to sex steroids, IGF signaling is crucial for growth, tissue homeostasis, and appropriate development. It also experiences a progressive reduction with aging and rising visceral obesity. It's interesting to note that IGF-1 has been shown to support hormonal responses for both the estrogen receptor (ER) and the androgen receptor (AR) in the absence of or low amounts of ligand. Additionally, IGFBP (insulin-like growth factor binding protein) molecules, which are frequently expressed in these hormonally regulated tissues, can control the bioavailability of IGF-1. Over the past few decades, there has been a lot of attention paid to the relationship between age-related disease and the function of IGF-1 in the aging and longevity processes. As a result, many IGF-targeted therapies have been created, but they have not yet been able to reach their full therapeutic potential. This chapter gives an overview of how the drop in sex steroids in mid-life affects the sexually dimorphic character of IGF signaling in humans. The most recent connections to metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances related to aging, and the targeting of IGF signaling in endocrine-related tumor growth will also be covered.
