[Roles of insulin-like growth factor system in colorectal carcinoma and its applications].

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, and inhibiting apoptosis. In the development, maintenance, and progression of tumor, any abnormality in IGF signal pathway can stimulate tumor growth. In vivo and in vitro experiments have confirmed that IGF system takes part in the malignant cell transformation, growth, invasion, and metastasis of tumor. This review summarized the roles of IGF system in colorectal carcinoma, and discussed its application perspective to early screening and target therapy for colorectal carcinoma.