Role of Anti-Cancer Peptides as Immunomodulatory Agents: Potential and Design Strategy

Abstract

The usage of peptide-based drugs to combat cancer is gaining significance in the pharmaceutical industry. The collateral damage caused to normal cells due to the use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc. has given an impetus to the search for alternative methods of cancer treatment. For a long time, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been shown to display anticancer activity. However, the immunomodulatory activity of anti-cancer peptides has not been researched very extensively. The interconnection of cancer and immune responses is well-known. Hence, a search and design of molecules that can show anti-cancer and immunomodulatory activity can be lead molecules in this field. A large number of anti-cancer peptides show good immunomodulatory activity by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory responses that assist cancer progression. Here, we thoroughly review both the naturally occurring and synthetic anti-cancer peptides that are reported to possess both anti-cancer and immunomodulatory activity. We also assess the structural and biophysical parameters that can be utilized to improve the activity. Both activities are mostly reported by different groups, however, we discuss them together to highlight their interconnection, which can be used in the future to design peptide drugs in the field of cancer therapeutics.

Short peptides based on the conserved regions of MIEN1 protein exhibit anticancer activity by targeting the MIEN1 signaling pathway

“…We chose a hexamer LASAVK from this conserved region to serve as a template for peptide design. Studies have shown that ACPs that contain two main biophysical parameters, high hydrophobicity and cationicity, can selectively target cancer cells by electrostatically interacting with the anionic lipids present in the plasma membrane of cancer cells ( 16 , 17 , 18 ). To achieve this, the third-positioned serine in LA-6 was replaced with hydrophobic amino acid isoleucine to design the first analog LAIAVK.…”

Effect of Bovine Milk Peptides on Cell Inflammation, Proliferation and Differentiation: Milk Potential Benefits Are Preserved in an Unconventional Cow Feeding Strategy

“…As chronic activation of some inducible enzymes, such as iNOS and COX-2, plays pivotal roles in the development of certain inflammatory diseases that may initiate the oncogenesis process, and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, is proposed to prevent inflammation-associated carcinogenesis [ 35 , 36 ], both CON and OOP peptides were used to treat two lines of human intestinal cancer cells to highlight a putative positive effect on cell proliferation and differentiation. The peptides were used at concentration and incubation times usually reported in the literature [ 32 , 37 ], and they are capable of significantly reducing the proliferation of RKO cells.…”

Peptide-Based Agents for Cancer Treatment: Current Applications and Future Directions

“…ACPs can modulate the immune response against cancer cells by stimulating the activation and proliferation of immune cells, such as T cells and NK cells, leading to enhanced recognition and elimination of cancer cells by the immune system ( Figure 1 D). Additionally, ACPs may modulate immune checkpoints, enhancing the antitumor immune response [ 149 , 150 ]. Bovine lactoferrin (LfcinB), a peptide derived from lactoferrin, hinders the growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by inducing increased lymphocyte infiltration to inhibit head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in vivo [ 38 , 39 ].…”