Cyclic peptides are polypeptide chains formed by cyclic sequences of amide bonds between protein-derived or non-protein-derived amino acids. Compared to linear peptides, cyclic
peptides offer several unique advantages, such as increased stability, stronger affinity, improved
selectivity, and reduced toxicity. Cyclic peptide has been proved to have a promising application
prospect in the medical field. In addition, this paper mainly describes that cyclic peptides play an
important role in anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-virus, treatment of multiple sclerosis and
membranous nephropathy through immunomodulation. In order to know more useful information
about cyclic peptides in clinical research and drug application, this paper also summarizes cyclic
peptides currently in the clinical trial stage and cyclic peptide drugs approved for marketing in the
recent five years. Cyclic peptides have many advantages and great potential in treating various diseases, but there are still many challenges to be solved in the development process of cyclic peptides.