IGF2 signaling and regulation in cancer

Upregulation of IGF2 occurs in both childhood and adult malignancies. Its overexpresssion is associated with resistance to chemotherapy and worse prognosis. IGF2 promoter usage is developmentally regulated; however, malignant tissues are characterized by re-activation of the fetal IGF2 promoters, especially P3. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of IGF2 signaling and regulation in normal and malignant tissues and their clinical implications.