Smart therapies against global pandemics: A potential of short peptides

Abstract

BackgroundAs we entered the third year of this pandemic, since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared in March 2020 the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV2) outbreak as a global pandemic COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 19), we are still fighting with newer and newer viral mutations. The pandemic has passed the grim milestone of over 6.4 million COVID19 deaths, from more than 550 million reported cases thus far. In fact, more than 15 million people can die by the end of this year. It is highly likely that this pandemic will become endemic, while the full evolutionary potential of coronaviruses has yet to be revealed. The next pandemic is coming. A microbe with features of SARS-Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and SARS-CoV-2 could lead to significantly more catastrophic loss of life. The co-evolution with other viruses should not be neglected. According to the WHO, we should expect diverse zoonotic, outbreakprone microbes, including highly pathogenic strains of influenza, Nipah, Ebola, Zika, or hemorrhagic fever viruses. 'It's an evolutionary certainty that there will be another virus with the potential to be more transmittable and deadly than this one', said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO. On the other hand, in both poor countries and regions of armed conflict, where vaccination is hampered, historic diseases are re-emerging, with migration and displacement influencing transmission risk and limiting control, and raising potential for additional outbreaks. Furthermore, there are other looming terrible threats to humanity as damaging as the bubonic plagues, such as bioterrorism or antibiotic resistant microorganisms. In most cases, both effective prevention and treatment options are limited.

Different Targeting Ligands-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems for Tumor Therapy

“…Compared with antibodies or proteins, peptides are smaller in size (between small molecules and antibodies) and have a greater ability to penetrate cells or tissues. Their pharmacokinetics can be enhanced through chemical modifications, while their targeting ability remains largely unaffected [ 49 ]. Currently, drug delivery systems based on two peptide ligands, tumor targeting peptide and cell penetrating peptide, have been widely developed for cancer therapy.…”

Peptide-Drug Conjugates: A New Hope for Cancer Management

“…Peptides, as constituents of proteins, are promising, safe, and effective anti-cancer therapeutics and are engaged in nearly all biological functions. Short peptides do not induce an undesired autoimmune response; they have high selectivity and specificity, are able to cross cell membranes, and penetrate tumors more efficiently [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Herein, applications of peptide-drug conjugates, their basic components, conjugation chemistry, release action, and different stages of their clinical development, regulatory procedures, and other challenges are presented.…”

Supramolecular synthon hierarchy in cyclopropyl-containing peptide-derived compounds

“…36 Currently, peptidederived compounds have gained increasing attention as safe and effective next-generation therapeutic agents due to their high affinity and excellent specificity towards protein receptors with recent progress in biotechnology overcoming their shortcomings. [37][38][39] An understanding of the molecular topology and modification of the supramolecular framework is essential to design new drugs with the desired bio-pharmacokinetic properties due to their close relationship. 40 The behavior of drug molecules in bio-systems depends on the combination of H-bond acceptors and donors (and their molecular shape).…”

“…36 Currently, peptide-derived compounds have gained increasing attention as safe and effective next-generation therapeutic agents due to their high affinity and excellent specificity towards protein receptors with recent progress in biotechnology overcoming their shortcomings. 37–39…”

“…These studies fit into the mainstream of our ongoing project that concentrates on supramolecular exploration and bioactivity of peptide-based molecules. 37,38,44–82…”