[Application of cell-penetrating peptides in tumor therapy]

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) represent a class of short peptides capable of efficiently traversing biological membrane barriers, demonstrating substantial potential in tumor-targeted drug delivery. Drugs modified with CPPs can enter cells through direct membrane penetration or endocytic pathways, and CPPs have been extensively investigated in various antitumor drug delivery systems. This review initially categorizes CPPs into cationic peptides, amphipathic peptides, and hydrophobic peptides according to their charge characteristics, and subsequently elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying CPP-mediated cellular entry. Furthermore, we comprehensively summarize the latest advances in multifunctional nanoplatforms constructed through the integration of CPPs with diverse delivery systems, thereby providing insights for the development of CPP-based antitumor delivery strategies.