Therapeutic potential of marine peptides in cervical and ovarian cancers

Mol Cell Biochem. 2022 Feb;477(2):605-619. doi: 10.1007/s11010-021-04306-y. Epub 2021 Dec 2.

Abstract

Cervical and ovarian cancers contribute significantly to female morbidity and mortality worldwide. The current standard of treatment, including surgical removal, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, offers poor outcomes. There are many side effects to traditional chemotherapeutic agents and treatment-resistant types, and often the immune response is depressed. As a result, traditional approaches have evolved to include new alternative remedies, such as natural compounds. Aquatic species provide a rich supply of possible drugs. The potential anti-cancer peptides are less toxic to normal cells and can attenuate multiple drug resistance by providing an efficacious treatment approach. The physiological effects of marine peptides are described in this review focusing on various pathways, such as apoptosis, microtubule balance disturbances, suppression of angiogenesis, cell migration/invasion, and cell viability. The review also highlights the potential role of marine peptides as safe and efficacious therapeutic agent for the treatment of cervical and ovarian cancers.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Apoptosis; Cell cycle arrest; Marine peptides; Metastasis; Mitosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Aquatic Organisms / chemistry*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / therapeutic use*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Peptides