Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), also known as growth regulator C, is a hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin.IGF-1 is produced primarily by the liver as an endocrine hormone. Similarly, target tissues are capable of paracrine/autocrine production of IGF-1.IGF-1 is a potent natural activator of the AKT signaling pathway, a stimulator of cell growth and proliferation, and a potent inhibitor of programmed cell death.IGF-1 binds to a minimum of two cell-surface receptors: the IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R) and the insulin receptor.IGF-1 production is stimulated by growth hormone. IGF-1 production is stimulated by growth hormone and inhibited by malnutrition, growth hormone insensitivity, lack of growth hormone receptors, or malfunctions in signaling pathways downstream of growth hormone receptors (SHP2 and STAT5B).IGF-1 plays an important role in childhood growth, with subsequent anabolic effects in adults, and is associated with aging, neuropathy, cancer, and stroke.