Title:Bioactive Peptides: Potential Impact on the Treatment of Gastrointestinal
Cancers
Volume: 29
Issue: 31
Author(s): Ghazaleh Pourali, Danial Kazemi, Roozbeh Pourali, Nafise Rahmani, Erfan Razzaghi, Mina Maftooh, Hamid Fiuji, Elnaz Ghorbani, Majid Khazaei, Gordon A. Ferns, Seyed Mahdi Hassanian*Amir Avan*
Affiliation:
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad,
Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad,
Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Keywords:
Gastrointestinal, malignancies, bioactive peptides, gastrointestinal cancers, chemotherapy, amino acids.
Abstract: We have reviewed the potential use of bioactive peptides in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI)
malignancies, which are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Conventional therapies, such
as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, are associated with numerous side effects that may lead to longterm
complications. Bioactive peptides are short-chain amino acids that can be extracted from natural sources
or synthesized, and they have various potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive,
antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer properties. Bioactive peptides can be acquired from animal or plant
sources, and can be classified based on their function, such as ACE-inhibiting, antimicrobial, and electrolyte-
regulating peptides. Recent studies have demonstrated the promising role of bioactive peptides in tumor
suppression, especially when combined with conventional therapies. In this study, we have reviewed the beneficial
properties of bioactive peptides and their role in suppressing tumor activity. The mechanisms of bioactive
peptides in tumor suppression are discussed. We have further reviewed the findings of preclinical and clinical
studies that have investigated the application of bioactive peptides in the treatment of GI cancers. This review
highlights the potential use of bioactive peptides as a promising treatment method for GI malignancies to
increase the quality of life of GI cancer patients.