Anticancer peptides and proteins: a panoramic view

Protein Pept Lett. 2013 Apr;20(4):380-91. doi: 10.2174/092986613805290435.

Abstract

Despite progress in understanding carcinogenesis, cancer is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Treatment is complicated by the resistance to chemotherapeutics acquired by tumors, ability to repair damaged DNA, alteration of the interaction between drug and its target, and defects in the machinery that leads to apoptosis. The development of novel therapies based on biologically active peptides, especially antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and proteins has emerged as a new strategy to defeat cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Amphibian Proteins / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / chemistry
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Venoms / chemistry

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Amphibian Proteins
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Peptides
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Proteins
  • Venoms