Figure 2. Targeting the Igf2 pathway in human tumours.

The p53 pathway malfunctions in virtually all human cancers. Data reported in Haley et al. indicate that IGF2 LOI promotes tumourigenesis by inactivating p53 in tumours that retain wild-type TP53. Targeting IGF2 signalling in this context may lead to reactivation of p53 tumour suppressor function. Loss of Igf2 significantly affects the progression of p53-deficient tumours in mice. This observation predicts that IGF2 targeting will reduce the fitness of tumours in which p53 function is compromised as a result of TP53 inactivating mutations or deletions.