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We find that substance P (SP) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) demonstrate a synergistic effect on the stimulation of rabbit corneal epithelial migration in an organ culture. The addition of either SP or IGF‐1 alone did not affect epithelial migration, while the combination of SP and IGF‐1 stimulated epithelial migration in a dose‐dependent fashion. The synergistic effects of SP and IGF‐1 on corneal epithelial migration were nulled by the addition of a SP antagonist or enkephalinase. Among neurotransmitters (vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, acethylcholine chloride, norepinephrine, serotonin) or tachykinins (neurokinin A, neurokinin B, kassinin, eledoisin, physalaemin), only SP demonstrated a synergistic effect with IGF‐1 on cellular migration. In contrast, the combination of SP and IGF‐1 did not affect the incorporation of ³H‐thymidine into corneal epithelial cells. The attachment of …