The role of the IGF-1 Ec in myoskeletal system and osteosarcoma pathophysiology

- IGF-1 is very important in normal skeletal development and development of cancer.
- The IGF-1 system plays a crucial role in development and metastasis of osteosarcoma.
- The IGF-1 Ec peptide (PEc) is a key factor involved in cancer including osteosarcoma.
- PEc induces cellular proliferation and differentiation through an unknown receptor.
- PEc comprises an attractive target for the treatment of osteosarcoma, without affecting mature IGF-1.

Growth hormone (GH) regulated mainly liver-produced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a key molecule in embryonic & post embryonic development that is also involved in cancer biology. Herein we review new insights of the role of igf-1 gene products and of the IGF-1Ec isoform in muscle and bone development/repair and its role in osteosarcoma pathophysiology, underlying the possible role of the Ec peptide as a future therapeutic target.