### IGF2-AS Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** IGF2-AS  
**Location:** Chromosome 11 (11p15.5)  
**Description:** The IGF2-AS gene is located in the antisense orientation to the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene. It exhibits paternal imprinting, meaning it is expressed only from the paternal allele while the maternal allele is silenced. The gene is characterized as non-coding due to the lack of conservation of its putative protein product, leading to the hypothesis that any potential protein may trigger nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). IGF2-AS is known to be expressed in various tumors, including Wilms' tumor, and is thought to play a role in suppressing cell growth.

### 1. Associated Genes
The IGF2-AS gene is primarily associated with the IGF2 gene due to its antisense orientation. Other genes that may be associated due to their involvement in related pathways or genomic neighborhoods include:
- **H19**: Another imprinted gene located near IGF2, which also plays roles in growth and development.
- **KCNQ1**: Involved in a genomic imprinting cluster related to growth regulation.
- **CDKN1C**: A cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor implicated in growth control.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
While specific studies directly linking IGF2-AS to aging or age-related diseases are limited, the IGF signaling pathway, of which IGF2 is a component, is known to influence aging and longevity. Dysregulation of the insulin/IGF signaling pathway can be associated with:
- **Cancer**: As IGF2-AS is overexpressed in tumors, this may suggest roles in age-related rise in cancer incidence.
- **Metabolic Disorders**: Alterations in IGF signaling are linked to obesity, diabetes, and age-related metabolic disorders.

### 3. Drug Interactions
While there are no direct drugs known to interact with IGF2-AS, modulating the IGF signaling pathways may indirectly influence the activity associated with this gene. Drugs and classes relevant to this context include:
- **IGF-1 inhibitors**: These may affect downstream signaling pathways.
- **Targeted cancer therapies**: Drugs (e.g., monoclonal antibodies targeting IGF-1R) that inhibit IGF pathway components could interact with the functional consequences of IGF2-AS expression in tumors.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
The IGF2-AS gene is involved in several biological processes, largely through its association with the IGF signaling pathway, including:
- **Regulation of Growth**: Implicated in cellular growth inhibition and tumor suppression mechanisms.
- **Cell Cycle Control**: Potentially influencing cell division and proliferation through interacting networks.
- **Tumorigenesis**: Its expression in tumors suggests a role in cancer development, possibly through paracrine or autocrine signaling in the tumor microenvironment.
- **Epigenetic Regulation**: As part of an imprinted gene cluster, it may contribute to epigenetic mechanisms affecting gene expression in development and cancer.

### Summary
The IGF2-AS gene is an important player in growth regulation and has implications in cancer due to its expression profile in tumors. Understanding its interactions with other genes, pathways, and potential implications in aging and drug interactions can provide deeper insight into its biological role.