KW-2450 free base is an orally bioavailable inhibitor of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine kinases with potential antineoplastic activity. IGF-1R/IR inhibitor KW-2450 free base selectively binds to and inhibits the activities of IGF-1R and IR, which may result in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and the induction of tumor cell apoptosis. IGF-R1 and IR tyrosine kinases, overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, play significant roles in the stimulation of cellular proliferation, oncogenic transformation, and suppression of apoptosis.

商陆科植物具有抗肿瘤活性，其机制可能与Esculentoside H释放TNF的能力有关。

一种多肽激素，可以调节葡萄糖水平。Insulin (human) 可用于糖尿病的研究。