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Published on: February 27, 2019
Antimicrobial peptides with selective antitumor mechanisms: prospect for anticancer applications
Berthony Deslouches1,2, Y Peter Di1
1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Abstract:
In the last several decades, there have been significant advances in anticancer therapy. However, the development of resistance to cancer drugs and the lack of specificity related to actively dividing cells leading to toxic side effects have undermined these achievements. As a result, there is considerable interest in alternative drugs with novel antitumor mechanisms. In addition to the recent approach using immunotherapy, an effective but much cheaper therapeutic option of pharmaceutical drugs would still provide the best choice for cancer patients as the first line treatment. Ribosomally synthesized cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or host defense peptides (HDP) display broad-spectrum activity against bacteria based on electrostatic interactions with negatively charged lipids on the bacterial surface. Because of increased proportions of phosphatidylserine (negatively charged) on the surface of cancer cells compared to normal cells, cationic amphipathic peptides could be an effective source of anticancer agents that are both selective and refractory to current resistance mechanisms. We reviewed herein the prospect for AMP application to cancer treatment, with a focus on modes of action of cationic AMPs.
Insights
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promise as novel anticancer agents. Their selective targeting of cancer cells, due to increased negative charges, offers a potential strategy against drug resistance and toxic side effects.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anticancer therapies face challenges including drug resistance and toxic side effects.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to overcome limitations of current treatments.
- Pharmaceutical drugs remain a cost-effective first-line treatment option for cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as anticancer agents.
- To explore the mechanisms of action of cationic AMPs in cancer treatment.
- To highlight AMPs as selective and resistance-refractory therapeutic options.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on AMPs and their anticancer properties.
- Analysis of the electrostatic interactions between cationic AMPs and cell membranes.
- Focus on the specific targeting of cancer cells based on surface charge differences.
Main Results:
- Cationic AMPs exhibit broad-spectrum activity, similar to their antibacterial effects.
- Increased phosphatidylserine on cancer cell surfaces facilitates selective binding of cationic AMPs.
- AMPs demonstrate potential for selective cancer cell killing with reduced toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Cationic AMPs represent a promising class of novel anticancer drugs.
- Their unique mechanism of action offers a strategy to overcome current resistance mechanisms.
- Further research into AMPs could lead to more effective and safer cancer therapies.
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