Insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) has been studied as an oncologic target in soft tissue sarcoma (STS), but its role in sarcoma biology is unclear.
Akt activation by the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) has been posited to be a mechanism of intrinsic resistance to mTORC1 inhibitors (rapalogues) for sarcomas.
Clinical trials for patients with sarcoma have demonstrated impressive anti-tumor activity in cases where the IGF-1 pathway is activated, such as in Ewing sarcoma; however, acquired resistance has been common.
Inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase receptors, such as IGF-1R, c-kit, PDGFR, VEGFR, or the mTOR signaling pathway, proteasome, angiogenesis, and stress response proteins are under clinical evaluation against sarcomas.