Immunological modulation of insulin-like growth factor 1 for cancer prevention/treatment and prolonging longevity

A method for treating or preventing cancer, the method comprising:

• a) providing a human or humanized antibody, RNA Spiegelmer, or selective peptide which specifically binds to human IGF-1 when administered to a human under conditions appropriate for direct contact with endogenous IGF-1;
• b) repeating as necessary to maintain circulating levels of the human or humanized antibody at levels sufficient to substantially reduce IGF-1-mediated stimulatory growth signals thereby resulting in the treatment or prevention of cancer.

A method for increasing longevity as measured by reducing one or more symptoms of aging in an adult warm blooded animal, comprising administering one or more of antibodies, RNA Spiegelmers, or selective peptides which specifically bind to IGF-1 to the animal such that IGF-1-mediated signaling is inactivated or suppressed and one or more symptoms of aging is reduced.

A method increasing longevity as measured by reducing one or more symptoms of aging in an adult warm blooded animal, the method comprising:

• a) providing one or more antigens the antigen characterized by the ability to stimulate the production of circulating antibodies which specifically bind to IGF-1 when administered to the animal under conditions appropriate for the stimulation of an immune response;
• b) administering the antigen to the animal under conditions appropriate for the stimulation of an immune response, thereby stimulating the production of endogenous circulating antibodies which specifically bind to IGF-1 and one or more symptoms of aging is reduced.