Clinical Applications and Anticancer Effects of Antimicrobial Peptides: From Bench to Bedside

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biochemistry
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
• Conventional cancer treatments present significant limitations, including severe side effects, toxicity, and the development of drug resistance.
• There is a growing need for innovative cancer drugs with improved efficacy and reduced adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the structure, biological functions, and mechanisms of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).
• To discuss the potential of AMPs as a novel therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.
• To highlight recent experimental studies, clinical trials, and challenges associated with the clinical application of anticancer peptides.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific databases for studies on antimicrobial peptides and cancer.
• Analysis of experimental data and clinical trial results concerning AMPs in oncology.
• Synthesis of information on AMP structure, function, mechanisms, and therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

• Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) demonstrate targeted activity against tumor cells, potentially offering lower toxicity to normal tissues.
• AMPs exhibit diverse mechanisms of action against cancer, including membrane disruption and intracellular pathways.
• Recent studies and clinical trials indicate promising anticancer potential across various cancer types.

Conclusions:

• Antimicrobial peptides represent a promising avenue for developing next-generation cancer therapies.
• Further research and clinical validation are crucial to overcome challenges in the clinical application of AMPs for cancer treatment.
• AMPs offer a potential strategy to address limitations of current cancer treatments, including drug resistance and toxicity.