Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I)

General information

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and the IGF-I receptor are structurally comparable to insulin and the insulin receptor. Recombinant human IGF-I has 54% identity to proinsulin. Insulin and IGF-I can bind to both receptors, but insulin can only transfer 1% of the IGF message on the IGF receptor and IGF-I only 1% of the insulin message on the insulin receptor.

Recombinant human IGF-I is used as an adjunct to insulin therapy in patients with large daily variations in insulin effect. It is sometimes given in insulin resistance syndromes caused by changes in the insulin receptor or in type B insulin resistance syndrome caused by antibodies to the insulin receptor.

Drug studies