Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF), particularly IGF-1, has been the subject of significant scientific research regarding its role in cartilage repair and regeneration. IGF-1 is a peptide hormone structurally similar to insulin and plays a critical role in growth and development of various tissues, including cartilage. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that IGF-1 stimulates the synthesis of proteoglycans and collagen by chondrocytes, which are the primary cells in cartilage. These effects contribute to maintaining and repairing the extracellular matrix of cartilage tissue. Animal models of cartilage injury, including osteoarthritis, have shown that administration of IGF-1 can enhance cartilage repair, reduce cartilage degradation, and promote the proliferation of chondrocytes. However, while the biological plausibility and preclinical data are strong, clinical evidence in humans remains limited. Some early-phase clinical studies and pilot trials have explored intra-articular delivery of IGF-1 or gene therapy approaches to increase its expression, with some promising results in terms of safety and markers of cartilage repair. Still, there are no large, well-controlled clinical trials definitively proving its efficacy for cartilage damage in humans. Therefore, the use of IGF-1 for this purpose is justified by scientific evidence at the experimental and preclinical level, with moderate but not definitive human data, meriting a mid-range evidence score.

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