The type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor and resistance to DACH1

The mammalian homolog of the Drosophila dachshund gene (DACH1) has been reported as a tumor suppressor in human breast and prostate cancers. It downregulates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclin D1. The signaling pathway of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) is known to be responsible for the development of resistance to treatment of human cancer with antibodies to the EGFR. We have asked whether DACH1 still exerts its tumor suppressor activity in cells dependent on the IGF-IR for growth. We find that in cells growing in IGF-1 (and unresponsive to EGF), DACH1 is devoid of tumor suppressor activity.