IGF1R and c-met as therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer

The type 1 IGF receptor (IGF1R) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) are hetrodimeric and transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases, which are frequently overexpressed by several tumor types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). These receptors bind to their specific ligands, insulin growth factors (IGFs) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), respectively, and promote signaling cascades which mediates many functions such as proliferation and protection against apoptosis, cell scattering, tumor cell motility, invasion and metastasis. In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), IGF1R and c-met expression confer resistance to cetuximab (monoclonal antibodies against EGFR). Therefore, the c-met and IGF1R are now an attractive novel target for anticancer therapy. In this review, we will describe correlation between two receptors and their activation effects in tumor cells, and finally introduce useful and available strategies for their targeting.