Venom-based peptide therapy: insights into anti-cancer mechanism
Rui Ma1, Ravikiran Mahadevappa1, Hang Fai Kwok1
1Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR.
Abstract:
The 5-year relative survival rate of all types of cancer has increased significantly over the past three decades partly due to the targeted therapy. However, still there are many targeted therapy drugs could play a role only in a portion of cancer patients with specific molecular alternation. It is necessary to continue to develop new biological agents which could be used alone and/or in combination with current FDA approved drugs to treat complex cancer diseases. Venom-based drugs have been used for hundreds of years in human history. Nevertheless, the venom-origin of the anti-cancer drug do rarely appear in the pharmaceutical market; and this is due to the fact that the mechanism of action for a large number of the venom drug such as venom-based peptide is not clearly understood. In this review, we focus on discussing some identified venom-based peptides and their anti-cancer mechanisms including the blockade of cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis (hallmarks of cancer) to fulfill the gap which is hindering their use in cancer therapy. Furthermore, it also highlights the importance of immunotherapy based on venom peptide. Overall, this review provides readers for further understanding the mechanism of venom peptide and elaborates on the need to explore peptide-based therapeutic strategies.
Insights
Venom peptides show promise as novel anti-cancer agents, targeting key cancer hallmarks like proliferation and metastasis. Further research into their mechanisms could unlock new peptide-based cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer survival rates have improved with targeted therapies, but many treatments are only effective for a subset of patients with specific molecular alterations.
- Developing novel biological agents for monotherapy or combination treatment is crucial for complex cancers.
- Venom-derived drugs have historical use, but their limited presence in the market stems from poorly understood mechanisms of action, particularly for venom peptides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review identified venom-based peptides and their anti-cancer mechanisms.
- To address the knowledge gap hindering the clinical use of venom-based anti-cancer drugs.
- To highlight the potential of venom peptides in cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of identified venom-based peptides.
- Analysis of anti-cancer mechanisms, including blockade of proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
- Exploration of venom peptide-based immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Venom-based peptides exhibit anti-cancer properties by targeting major cancer hallmarks.
- Understanding the mechanisms of action of venom peptides is key to their therapeutic application.
- Venom peptides hold potential for developing novel immunotherapies.
Conclusions:
- Venom peptides represent a promising source for developing new anti-cancer therapeutics.
- Further research into venom peptide mechanisms is essential for their clinical translation.
- Peptide-based therapeutic strategies derived from venom warrant significant exploration.
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