Development of an active site peptide analog of α-fetoprotein that prevents breast cancer

Epidemiologic studies associate elevated maternal serum levels of α-fetoprotein (AFP) with reduced breast cancer risk for parous women. Laboratory studies demonstrate direct anti-breast cancer activity of AFP. Here, we review the development of a small cyclic peptide that is an active site analog of AFP, referred to as AFPep, which is composed exclusively of amino acids, is orally active, has no discernable toxicity, and is effective for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer in animal models.