Anticancer Potential of Cecropin Antimicrobial Peptides: A Systematic Review

Background: This systematic review investigates the anticancer properties of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) belonging to the Cecropin family, emphasizing their promise as innovative and effective agents for cancer therapy.Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the potential anticancer effects of AMPs. The Advanced strategy of search in PubMed was: (((Cecropin*)) AND (((Neoplasm*)) OR (cancer*) OR (Tumor*) OR (Carcinoma))); and in the Science Direct and Scopus was: (((Cecropin)) AND (((Neoplasm)) OR (cancer) OR (Tumor) OR (Carcinoma))).Results: The Cecropin family comprises linear α-helical AMPs, also called host defense peptides (HDPs), characterized by their wide-ranging antimicrobial efficacy. Numerous studies reveal encouraging results for Cecropin A and B; however, some investigations focusing on less optimized analogs or specific combinations have reported ineffective outcomes. Cecropins are recognized for their relatively low host toxicity, positioning them as potential candidates for cancer treatment. Typically, AMPs contain fewer than ۱۰۰ amino acids and exhibit cationicity, hydrophobicity, and an amphipathic structure. Recent research indicates that these AMPs also demonstrate notable anticancer activities. By leveraging the molecular attributes and functionalities of AMPs, it is possible to identify or design selective anticancer peptides (ACPs) for clinical application as novel therapeutic agents against cancer.Conclusion: The findings underscore the capability of Cecropin family peptides as targeted cancer therapies, showcasing their strong anticancer efficacy alongside minimal host toxicity.

کلیدواژه ها:

Anticancer peptides (ACPs) ، Host Defense Peptides (HDPs) ، Cecropin ، Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) ، Cancer Therapy ، Peptide-based Cancer Treatment