News Release

IGF2BP1: a critical driver of cancer progression and therapeutic target

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Compuscript Ltd

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image: 

Image Caption: Working model of m6A regulator (writers, erasers, and readers) on m6A modification.

Image link: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S235230422500056X-gr1_lrg.jpg

 

 

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Credit: Genes & Diseases

The RNA-binding protein IGF2BP1 has emerged as a key regulator of cancer hallmarks, influencing tumor proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion, and resistance to cell death. As an m6A reader, IGF2BP1 binds to methylated mRNA, stabilizing oncogenic transcripts and promoting cancer progression. Its role in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level has positioned IGF2BP1 as a potential biomarker for cancer prognosis and a target for novel anti-tumor therapies.

 

Elevated expression of IGF2BP1 has been observed in multiple cancers, including lung, liver, breast, and colorectal cancers, correlating with poor prognosis and therapy resistance. Through its interaction with m6A-modified mRNAs, IGF2BP1 enhances the stability and translation of cancer-related genes, driving tumor growth, invasion, and metabolic reprogramming. Its ability to promote immune evasion by stabilizing PD-L1 mRNA further highlights its role in suppressing anti-tumor immunity.

 

By influencing ferroptosis resistance, IGF2BP1 contributes to the survival of cancer cells under oxidative stress. Additionally, its impact on tumor metabolism, particularly in regulating glycolysis and lipid metabolism, enables cancer cells to adapt to hostile microenvironments. The tumor microenvironment, characterized by hypoxia and immune suppression, is further influenced by IGF2BP1, making it a key player in the dynamic interactions that sustain tumor progression.

 

Given its central role in cancer biology, targeting IGF2BP1 represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Recent research has identified small-molecule inhibitors capable of disrupting IGF2BP1-RNA interactions, leading to reduced tumor cell viability and increased sensitivity to chemotherapy. These findings pave the way for the development of IGF2BP1-targeted therapies aimed at enhancing cancer treatment outcomes.

 

As research continues to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying IGF2BP1’s functions, its potential as a biomarker for early cancer detection and a target for precision medicine becomes increasingly clear. Further studies and clinical trials will be crucial in translating these discoveries into effective cancer therapies, offering hope for improved patient survival and treatment efficacy.

 

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Genes & Diseases publishes rigorously peer-reviewed and high quality original articles and authoritative reviews that focus on the molecular bases of human diseases. Emphasis is placed on hypothesis-driven, mechanistic studies relevant to pathogenesis and/or experimental therapeutics of human diseases. The journal has worldwide authorship, and a broad scope in basic and translational biomedical research of molecular biology, molecular genetics, and cell biology, including but not limited to cell proliferation and apoptosis, signal transduction, stem cell biology, developmental biology, gene regulation and epigenetics, cancer biology, immunity and infection, neuroscience, disease-specific animal models, gene and cell-based therapies, and regenerative medicine.

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Print ISSN: 2352-4820

eISSN: 2352-3042

CN: 50-1221/R

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Reference

Li Qiu, Shourong Wu, Lei Zhang, Wenfang Li, Debing Xiang, Vivi Kasim, The biological roles and molecular mechanisms of m6A reader IGF2BP1 in the hallmarks of cancer, Genes & Diseases, Volume 12, Issue 5, 2025, 101567, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gendis.2025.101567

 

Funding Information:

 

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82173029

National Natural Science Foundation of China 32270778

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82372655

Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, China CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX0611

Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, China CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX0612

Talent Project of Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital (Chongqing, China) 2024LJXM005


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