Diverse roles of insulin-like growth factors in pediatric solid tumors.

Insulin-like growth factors are abnormally expressed in some pediatric solid tumors. In addition, tumors that do not show significant alterations in pattern of expression are responsive to and may be dependent upon insulin-like growth factors for proliferation. These can be produced by the tumor cells (autocrine), surrounding stromal cells (paracrine), or at a distance (endocrine). Insulin-like growth factor-II plays a role in Wilm's tumor, neuroblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, either as a proliferation factor, a motility factor, or both. Insulin-like growth factor-I may regulate osteosarcoma and the Ewing's family of tumors (primitive neuroectodermal tumors). Understanding the biology of these growth factors and their receptors can lead to new therapeutic approaches.