IGF1R and cancer: In addition, the mTOR pathway is indirectly downregulated by activated AMPK, which is an energy sensor implicated in the regulation of protein and lipid metabolism in response to changes in fuel availability.18 Moreover, activation of AMPK is known to have anticancer effects in various cancer models, such as breast, colon and lung cancers.19 Activation of the pathways described above by IGF signalling requires the cleavage of pro-IGF-1R into its mature form.