The main biological functions of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1 R) include formation and maintenance of transformed cell phenotype,involvement in cell proliferation and differentiation,and inhibition of cell apoptosis.In addition,IGF-1R regulates cell cycle and works with epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor to mediate cells to enter S phase from G1 phase.Overexpressed IGF-1R has become one of the target proteins for diagnostic imaging and localization therapy for primary liver cancer.Inhibition of the expression or function of IGF-1R can effectively control the growth and metastasis of tumor cells and enhance their sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.This article reviews the role and significance of IGF-1R and its pathway in the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer.