Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a hormone primarily involved in growth regulation, metabolism, and cellular differentiation, with structural similarity to insulin. Dysregulation of IGF1 signaling is linked to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and age-related disorders. IGF1 antibodies are immunological tools designed to target and bind IGF1 or its receptor (IGF1R), modulating their activity. These antibodies are widely employed in research, diagnostics, and therapeutic development.
In research, IGF1 antibodies enable the study of IGF1 expression, localization, and interaction with receptors in tissues, notably in cancer biology where IGF1/IGF1R pathways drive tumor proliferation and survival. Diagnostic applications include immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, immunohistochemistry) to measure IGF1 levels in conditions like growth disorders or metabolic syndromes. Therapeutically, monoclonal antibodies (e.g., figitumumab, cixutumumab) have been developed to block IGF1R signaling, aiming to inhibit tumor growth. However, clinical trials have shown mixed results, highlighting challenges like pathway redundancy and drug resistance.
Recent advances focus on bispecific antibodies or combination therapies to enhance efficacy. Additionally, IGF1 antibodies are explored in aging research, as IGF1 decline correlates with age-related muscle loss and cognitive decline. Despite their versatility, optimizing specificity, minimizing off-target effects, and identifying patient subgroups that benefit most remain critical areas of development. Overall, IGF1 antibodies are pivotal in unraveling the hormone's complex roles and translating insights into clinical applications.