Abstract: Insulin-like growth factors（IGF） plays a pivotal role in human ovarian cell proliferation，differentiation and apoptosis. Increasing evidences have revealed that IGF system is involved in the pathogenesis and progress of various malignancies including ovarian cancer. Recent studies in regard to IGF axis expression in the ovarian cell lines and tissues have shown that the IGF axis may contribute to the transformation and progression of ovarian cancer. The inhibition of IGF receptor signaling pathway may be a new strategy for the multimodality treatment of ovarian cancer. This article reviews the update progress in the research of IGF axis in ovarian cancer.

Key words: Insulin-like growth factorⅠ, Insulin-like growth factorⅡ, Receptor, IGF type 1, Ovarian neoplasms, Metformin