Smart Advancements for Targeting Solid Tumors via Protein and Peptide Drug Delivery (PPD)

Abstract

Proteins and peptides possess considerable potential in treating solid tumors because of their unique properties. At present, there are over 100 peptide-based formulations on the market. Today, peptides and proteins are in more demand due to their selective nature and high target-binding efficiency. Targeting solid tumors with compounds of molecular weight less than 10 kDa are much more desirable because they undergo excessive penetration in view of the fact that they are small sized. The solid tumors have thick tissues and possess excessive interstitial fluid pressure, because of which high molecular compounds cannot enter. The properties of proteins and peptides induce low toxic effects and lessen the major side effects caused by chemical-based drugs. However, their delivery is quite challenging as most proteins and peptides stop functioning therapeutically when following a parenteral route of administration. This paper elaborates on the importance of new age formulations of peptides and proteins followed by their recently documented advancements that increase their stability and delay their metabolism, which helps to target solid tumors.

Keywords: Solid tumors; fluid pressure; metabolism; molecular weight; peptide drug delivery; protein.