Targeting Tumors with Small Molecule Peptides

Title:Targeting Tumors with Small Molecule Peptides

Volume: 16 Issue: 6

Author(s): Andrew G. Cheetham, Daniel Keith, Pengcheng Zhang, Ran Lin, Hao Su and Honggang Cui

Affiliation:

Keywords: Tumor targeting, cancer, peptides, ligands.

Abstract: Chemotherapeutic treatment of cancers is a challenging endeavor, hindered by poor selectivity towards tumorous tissues over healthy ones. Preferentially delivering a given drug to tumor sites necessitates the use of targeting elements, of which there are a wide range in development. In this Review, we highlight recent examples of peptide-based targeting ligands that have been exploited to selectively deliver a chemotherapeutic payload to specific tumor-associated sites such as the vasculature, lymphatics, or cell surface. The advantages and limitations of such approaches will be discussed with a view to potential future development. Additionally, we will also examine how peptide-based ligands can be used diagnostically in the detection and characterization of cancers through their incorporation into imaging agents.

Cite this article as:

G. Cheetham Andrew, Keith Daniel, Zhang Pengcheng, Lin Ran, Su Hao and Cui Honggang, Targeting Tumors with Small Molecule Peptides, Current Cancer Drug Targets 2016; 16 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568009616666151130214646