To assess the response of various cancer cells to an IGF-1R blockade, we evaluated the effects of cixutumumab on immune-deficient mice harbouring orthotopic tumours of luciferase (Luc)-expressing MDA231D3H2LN (MDA231), H1299 or 686LN cells, as three representative human cell lines for breast cancer, NSCLC and HNSCC, respectively. The gene discussed is IGF1R; the disease is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.