Human multiple myeloma (MM) represents a highly aneuploid tumor as shown by cytogenetic studies. This may partly explain the heterogeneity with regard to growth factor requirements demonstrated among MM cells. We have previously reported the expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) mRNA in some MM cell lines. In this study we investigated the role of IGF-I as a growth and/or survival factor in three MM cell lines: LP-1, EJM, and Karpas 707. We report that all cell lines expressed IGF-I and IGF-IR mRNA and protein. LP-1 and Karpas 707, but not EJM, were stimulated to proliferation in a dose-dependent manner by exogenous IGF-I. An IGF-IR blocking antibody inhibited both the IGF-I-induced and spontaneous growth of LP-1, and Karpas 707, while the EJM cell line was unaffected by the addition of the antibody. In conclusion, our results show that IGF-I can act as a growth factor in human MM, and they suggest that an autocrine IGF-I loop may contribute to the growth and survival in some MM cell lines.