The role of peptides in reversing chemoresistance of breast cancer: current facts and future prospects

Abstract

Breast cancer is the first malignant tumor in women, and its incidence is also increasing year by year. Chemotherapy is one of the standard therapies for breast cancer, but the resistance of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs is a huge challenge for the effective treatment of breast cancer. At present, in the study of reversing the drug resistance of solid tumors such as breast cancer, peptides have the advantages of high selectivity, high tissue penetration, and good biocompatibility. Some of the peptides that have been studied can overcome the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs in the experiment, and effectively control the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Here, we describe the mechanism of different peptides in reversing breast cancer resistance, including promoting cancer cell apoptosis; promoting non-apoptotic regulatory cell death of cancer cells; inhibiting the DNA repair mechanism of cancer cells; improving the tumor microenvironment; inhibiting drug efflux mechanism; and enhancing drug uptake. This review focuses on the different mechanisms of peptides in reversing breast cancer drug resistance, and these peptides are also expected to create clinical breakthroughs in promoting the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer patients and improving the survival rate of patients.

Computational design of anti-cancer peptides tailored to target specific tumor markers

“…However, ensuring peptide stability and efficient delivery to the target site under physiological conditions remains critical due to enzymatic degradation and proteolysis [ 4 ]. Moreover, the emergence of resistance by cancer cells over time poses a substantial clinical concern, underscoring the importance of developing peptides that retain efficacy over prolonged periods [ 5 ]. This necessitates a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach, where ongoing explorations and modifications of anticancer peptides will play pivotal roles in both cancer prevention and treatment.…”

Facts and prospects of peptide in targeted therapy and immune regulation against triple-negative breast cancer

“…Chemotherapy is the main treatment (8). The commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs include anthracyclines, taxanes, and cyclophosphamide (9). Although TNBC is sensitive to chemotherapy, chemotherapy drugs lack specificity and often damage healthy tissues.…”