IGF is very closely linked to cancer. The defining feature of a cancer cell is that the cell divides uncontrollably and the natural
biological role of the hormone IGF is to cause cells to divide. So perhaps it should not be surprising that one study found the IGF
receptor is 43-times more abundant on breast cancer cells than normal breast tissue. IGF has also been linked to most other types
of cancer. Not only do cancer cells have more IGF receptors than healthy cells, but the most dangerous and aggressive cancer cells
have been found to have the most IGF receptors. Thus, not only does the company's technology target cancer cells over healthy cells,
but it targets the most aggressive cancer cells more than the less important cancer cells.
To kill cancer cells, the IGF-drug conjugate binds to IGF receptors on cancer cells (Figure 3, panel A). When IGF binds to its receptor,
the receptor is swallowed by the cell in a process called endocytosis (panel B).
The biological role of IGF is to cause cells to divide. That works out well, because all chemotherapy drugs act by selectively killing
dividing cells. So in panels B through E, the IGF portion of the IGF-drug conjugate causes the cancer cell to divide. In panel E and F,
the chemotherapy drug portion of the IGF-drug conjugate kill the cancer cell as it divides.
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