Development and Challenges of Cyclic Peptides for Immunomodulation

Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2024;25(5):353-375. doi: 10.2174/0113892037272528231030074158.

Abstract

Cyclic peptides are polypeptide chains formed by cyclic sequences of amide bonds between protein-derived or non-protein-derived amino acids. Compared to linear peptides, cyclic peptides offer several unique advantages, such as increased stability, stronger affinity, improved selectivity, and reduced toxicity. Cyclic peptide has been proved to have a promising application prospect in the medical field. In addition, this paper mainly describes that cyclic peptides play an important role in anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-virus, treatment of multiple sclerosis and membranous nephropathy through immunomodulation. In order to know more useful information about cyclic peptides in clinical research and drug application, this paper also summarizes cyclic peptides currently in the clinical trial stage and cyclic peptide drugs approved for marketing in the recent five years. Cyclic peptides have many advantages and great potential in treating various diseases, but there are still many challenges to be solved in the development process of cyclic peptides.

Keywords: Cyclic peptides; anti-inflammatory; immunity mechanisms; immunomodulation; multiple sclerosis.; pharmacological activities.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / chemistry
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Immunomodulating Agents / chemistry
  • Immunomodulating Agents / pharmacology
  • Immunomodulating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Immunomodulation / drug effects
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Peptides, Cyclic* / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic* / pharmacology
  • Peptides, Cyclic* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Immunomodulating Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antiviral Agents