![conference banner](/images/conference-banner.jpeg)
Abstract
Membrane disrupting lytic peptides are abundant in nature and serve insects, invertebrates, vertebrates and humans as defense molecules. Initially, these peptides attracted attention as antimicrobial agents; later, the sensitivity of tumor cells to lytic peptides was discovered. In the last decade intensive research has been conducted to determine how lytic peptides lyse bacteria and tumor cells. A number of synthetic peptides have been designed to optimize their antibiotic and anti-tumor properties and improve their therapeutic capabilities. The sequences of α-helical cationic membrane disrupting peptides has been discussed, their proposed mechanisms of action reviewed, and their roles in cell selectivity and tumor cell destruction considered. Parameters important for the selection and design of lytic peptides for cancer treatments include increased activities against tumor cells, low cytolytic activities to normal mammalian cells and erythrocytes. The conjugation of lytic peptides with hormone ligands and the production of pro-peptides provide methods for targeting of cancer cells. The therapeutic possibilities in cancer treatment by targeted lytic peptides are broad and offer improvement to currently used chemotherapeutical drugs. Lytic peptides interact with the tumor cell membrane within minutes, and their activity is independent of multi-drug resistance. Lytic peptide-chorionic gonadotropin (CG) conjugates destroy primary tumors, prevent metastases and kill dormant and metastatic tumor cells. These conjugates do not destroy vital organs; they are not antigenic, and are more toxic to tumor cells than to non-malignant cells.
Keywords: lytic peptide, antitumoral drugs, cancer treatment, cell selectivity, conjugated lytic peptides
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Membrane Disrupting Lytic Peptides for Cancer Treatments
Volume: 10 Issue: 19
Author(s): Carola Leuschner and William Hansel
Affiliation:
Keywords: lytic peptide, antitumoral drugs, cancer treatment, cell selectivity, conjugated lytic peptides
Abstract: Membrane disrupting lytic peptides are abundant in nature and serve insects, invertebrates, vertebrates and humans as defense molecules. Initially, these peptides attracted attention as antimicrobial agents; later, the sensitivity of tumor cells to lytic peptides was discovered. In the last decade intensive research has been conducted to determine how lytic peptides lyse bacteria and tumor cells. A number of synthetic peptides have been designed to optimize their antibiotic and anti-tumor properties and improve their therapeutic capabilities. The sequences of α-helical cationic membrane disrupting peptides has been discussed, their proposed mechanisms of action reviewed, and their roles in cell selectivity and tumor cell destruction considered. Parameters important for the selection and design of lytic peptides for cancer treatments include increased activities against tumor cells, low cytolytic activities to normal mammalian cells and erythrocytes. The conjugation of lytic peptides with hormone ligands and the production of pro-peptides provide methods for targeting of cancer cells. The therapeutic possibilities in cancer treatment by targeted lytic peptides are broad and offer improvement to currently used chemotherapeutical drugs. Lytic peptides interact with the tumor cell membrane within minutes, and their activity is independent of multi-drug resistance. Lytic peptide-chorionic gonadotropin (CG) conjugates destroy primary tumors, prevent metastases and kill dormant and metastatic tumor cells. These conjugates do not destroy vital organs; they are not antigenic, and are more toxic to tumor cells than to non-malignant cells.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Leuschner Carola and Hansel William, Membrane Disrupting Lytic Peptides for Cancer Treatments, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2004; 10 (19) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612043383971
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612043383971 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Blood-based biomarkers in large-scale screening for neurodegenerative diseases
Disease biomarkers are necessary tools that can be employ in several clinical context of use (COU), ranging from the (early) diagnosis, prognosis, prediction, to monitor of disease state and/or drug efficacy. Regarding neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a battery of well-validated biomarkers are available, such as cerebrospinal fluid ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Diabetes mellitus: advances in diagnosis and treatment driving by precision medicine
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic degenerative metabolic disease with ever increasing prevalence worldwide which is now an epidemic disease affecting 500 million people worldwide. Insufficient insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells unable to maintain blood glucose homeostasis is the main feature of this disease. Multifactorial and complex nature of ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
![Wayfinder Image](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Nutrition and Medicine: Considering Microalgae Oil as a Vegetarian Source of EPA and DHA
Current Diabetes Reviews Inhibitors of the HSP90 Molecular Chaperone: Attacking the Master Regulator in Cancer
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Ultra-deformable Liposomes as Flexible Nanovesicular Carrier to Penetrate Versatile Drugs Transdermally
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology-Asia Molecular Phenotype of CXCL12β 3UTR G801A Polymorphism (rs1801157) Associated to HIV-1 Disease Progression
Current HIV Research Viral-Mediated Gene Transfer for Cancer Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology The Role of Intracrine Androgen Metabolism, Androgen Receptor and Apoptosis in the Survival and Recurrence of Prostate Cancer During Androgen Deprivation Therapy
Current Drug Targets Network of WNT and Other Regulatory Signaling Cascades in Pluripotent Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Secondary Metabolites from Cordyceps Species and Their Antitumor Activity Studies
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Modelling DNA Repair Pathways: Recent Advances and Future Directions
Current Pharmaceutical Design Genetic Polymorphisms and Haplotypes of Major Drug Metabolizing Enzymes in East Asians and Their Comparison with Other Ethnic Populations
Current Pharmacogenomics Current Targeting Strategies for Adenovirus Vectors in Cancer Gene Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Curcumin Exposure Modulates Multiple Pro-Apoptotic and Anti-Apoptotic Signaling Pathways to Antagonize Acetaminophen-Induced Toxicity
Current Neurovascular Research Histone and Non-Histone Targets of Dietary Deacetylase Inhibitors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Protective Effect of Perindopril on Tumor Progression and Angiogenesis in Animal Model of Breast Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry PEDF as an Emerging Therapeutic Candidate for Osteosarcoma
Current Cancer Drug Targets Assessment of the Antineoplastic Potential of Chalcones in Animal Models
Current Medicinal Chemistry Arsenic trioxide Alters the MicroRNA Expression Profile of U87 glioblastoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Molecular and Biochemical Pathways Encompassing Diabetes Mellitus and Dementia
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Applications of <i>Cucurbita</i>
Current Nutrition & Food Science A Hypothesis for Regenerative Therapy for Neuronal Disease: Stem Cells within Artificial Niche
Current Signal Transduction Therapy