AbstractSynovial sarcomas account for 5–10% of all soft tissue sarcomas and the majority of synovial sarcomas display characteristic t(X;18) translocations that result in enhanced transcription of the insulin‐like growth factor‐2 (IGF‐2) gene. IGF‐2 is an essential fetal mitogen involved in the pathogenesis of different tumours, leading to cellular proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis. Here we asked whether activation of IGF signalling is of functional importance in synovial sarcomas. We screened human synovial sarcomas for expression of IGF‐2 and the phosphorylated IGF‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R), which mainly mediates the proliferative and anti‐apoptotic effects of IGF‐2. Since both the phosphatidylinositol 3′‐kinase (PI3K)–AKT pathway and the MAPK signalling cascade are known to be involved in the transmission of IGF‐1R signals, expression of phosphorylated (p)‐AKT and p‐p44/42 MAPK was additionally assessed. All tumours expressed IGF‐2 and 78% showed an activated IGF‐1R. All tumours were found to express p‐AKT and 92% showed expression of activated p44/42 MAPK. To analyse the functional and potential therapeutic relevance of IGF‐1R signalling, synovial sarcoma cell lines were treated with the IGF‐1R inhibitor NVP‐AEW541. Growth was impaired by the IGF‐1R antagonist, which was consistently accompanied by a dose‐dependent reduction of phosphorylation of AKT and p44/42 MAPK. Functionally, inhibition of the receptor led to increased apoptosis and diminished mitotic activity. Concurrent exposure of selected cells to NVP‐AEW541 and conventional chemotherapeutic agents resulted in positive interactions. Finally, synovial sarcoma cell migration was found to be dependent on signals transmitted by the IGF‐1R. In summary, our data show that the IGF‐1R might represent a promising therapeutic target in synovial sarcomas. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.