Apoptosis is a cell death program which is modulated by a variety of factors including
growth factors, signal transduction molecules and inducers of gene expression or DNA
replication. Of particular interest is Type I insulin-like growth factor receptor
which contains a tyrosine kinase domain linked to the ras-raf-MAPK cascade. This receptor
has antiapoptotic effects in a number of in vivo and in vitro models, thus making IGF-I-R a potential target for gene therapy. Particularly the
growth of neuroblastoma depends on IGFs which exert their effect through the Type
I IGF receptor. This review highlights the role of the IGF-system in neuroblastoma
and points at possible modulators with the aim of inducing differentiation or apoptosis
of tumor cells.
Insulin-Like Growth Factors - IGF-Binding Proteins - Neuroblastoma - Apoptosis
