Progress in the studies on small molecule IGF-1R inhibitors

The importance of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling in malignant behaviour of tumour cells is well established. Inhibiting the activity of IGF-1R may result in striking apoptosis in malignant cells growing. IGF-1R antibodies which are currently in phase I and II clinical trials and several IGF-1R TKIs have preclinically been characterized. This review describes recent developments of small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors.