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The Application of Peptides in Glioma: A Novel Tool for Therapy
Li Li1, Jianhong Chen1, Yue Ming1
1Department of Pharmacy, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Background:
Glioma is the most aggressive and lethal tumor of the central nervous system. Due to the cellular heterogeneity, the invasiveness, and blood-brain barrier (BBB), current therapeutic approaches, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are poorly to obtain great antitumor efficacy. However, peptides, a novel type of therapeutic agent, displayed excellent ability in the tumor, which becomes a new molecule for glioma treatment.
Methods:
We review the current knowledge on peptides for the treatment of glioma through a PubMed-based literature search.
Results:
In the treatment of glioma, peptides can be used as (i) decoration on the surface of the delivery system, facilitating the distribution and accumulation of the anti-tumor drug in target site; (ii) anti-tumor active molecules, inhibiting the growth of glioma and reducing solid tumor volume; (iii) immune-stimulating factor, and it activating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment or recruiting immune cells to the tumor for breaking out the immunosuppression by glioma cells.
Conclusion:
The application of peptides has revolutionized the treatment of glioma, which based on targeting, penetrating, anti-tumor activities and immunostimulatory. Moreover, better outcomes have been discovered in combining different kinds of peptides rather than a single one. Until now, more and more preclinical studies have been developed with multifarious peptides, which shows promising results in vitro or vivo with the model of glioma.
Insights
Peptides offer a promising new approach for treating aggressive brain tumors like glioma. These molecules can target tumors, penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and stimulate immune responses, revolutionizing treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Peptide Therapeutics
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Glioma is a highly aggressive and lethal central nervous system tumor.
- Current treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy have limited efficacy due to tumor heterogeneity, invasiveness, and the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
- Peptides are emerging as a novel therapeutic agent with significant potential for glioma treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the use of peptides for glioma treatment.
- To explore the multifaceted roles of peptides in combating glioma.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed.
- The review focused on studies detailing peptide applications in glioma therapy.
Main Results:
- Peptides serve as surface decorations for delivery systems, enhancing drug distribution and accumulation at tumor sites.
- Peptides function as direct anti-tumor agents, inhibiting glioma growth and reducing tumor volume.
- Peptides act as immune-stimulating factors, activating or recruiting immune cells to overcome glioma-induced immunosuppression.
Conclusions:
- Peptide application represents a revolutionary advancement in glioma treatment, leveraging targeting, penetration, anti-tumor, and immunostimulatory activities.
- Combining different peptides shows superior outcomes compared to single-peptide therapies.
- Numerous preclinical studies demonstrate promising in vitro and in vivo results for multifarious peptides in glioma models.

