IGF-1 DES
Also referenced as: des(1-3)IGF-1
A truncated 67-amino-acid IGF-1 analogue lacking its first three residues.
- Evidence grade
- DPreclinical Research
Preclinical Research
- Regulatory status
- Research Use Only
Not FDA-approved for the research uses discussed; no established clinical enhancement indication.
- Human data
- No
No registered clinical trials identified
- Last reviewed
- October 27, 2026
Overview
A truncated 67-amino-acid IGF-1 analogue lacking its first three residues.
Not FDA-approved for the research uses discussed; no established clinical enhancement indication.
It is not mecasermin. Approved recombinant IGF-1 evidence cannot be assigned to this altered molecule.
Why It's Being Studied
- IGF signalling
- Binding-protein interactions
Mechanism of Action
Reduced IGF-binding-protein affinity changes exposure and activity compared with native IGF-1.
Reduced IGF-binding-protein affinity changes exposure and activity compared with native IGF-1. It is not mecasermin. Approved recombinant IGF-1 evidence cannot be assigned to this altered molecule.
From molecular target to clinical evidence
Tap each stage to see what happens.
Background: Clinical Peptide Medicines
Clinical peptide medicines include endocrine treatments, antimicrobial drugs, receptor blockers and targeted diagnostic or cancer agents. They do not share one mechanism or one set of indications.
An approval belongs to a specific medicine and indication. A diagnostic tracer, an antibiotic and a hormone are not interchangeable wellness products; read each profile's own mechanism and prescribing source.
Research Areas & Routes Studied
- IGF signalling
- Binding-protein interactions
- Cell and animal research
Evidence Summary
Evidence is predominantly cell and animal research; no approved therapeutic benefit has been established.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for IGF-1 DES; tap to read it.
- Evidence is predominantly cell and animal research; no approved therapeutic benefit has been established.
1 cited sources.
- Animal study1
Preclinical evidence
- Evidence is predominantly cell and animal research; no approved therapeutic benefit has been established.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Potent hypoglycemic effects in animals and proliferative signalling create safety concerns; human safety is unestablished.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- It is not mecasermin. Approved recombinant IGF-1 evidence cannot be assigned to this altered molecule.
- Findings apply to the product, route and population studied; they do not establish benefits or safety for unrelated wellness uses or research-vial products.
How to Read This Research
- Is this a single molecule or a family of medicines?
- Is the use diagnostic, therapeutic or investigational?
- Does the quoted outcome match the exact product, formulation and population?
- Use the compound-specific mechanism above; this diagram describes drug development, not a shared biological pathway.
- Historical approval, present availability and off-label use are distinct questions.
- For radiopharmaceuticals and hospital medicines, specialist handling is part of the treatment context.
- Indication
- The condition and population for which a medicine is approved.
- Antagonist
- A compound that blocks activity at a receptor.
- Radiopharmaceutical
- A medicine containing a radioactive isotope for imaging or treatment.
Compare With Other Compounds
| IGF-1 DES | Trofinetide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | D — Preclinical Research | B — Moderate Human Evidence |
| Regulatory status | Research Use Only | FDA Approved for Specific Indication |
| Human data | No | Yes |
| Clinical trials | None identified | Registered trials exist |
| Research routes | Cell and animal research | Oral approved medicine |
| Cited sources | 1 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Animal study
IGF-1 DES — animal study