Molecular Therapeutic Cancer Peptides: A Closer Look at Bovine Lactoferricin

Abstract

Background: In spite of the progress that was recorded in the development of anticancer drugs, challenges continue to rises particularly due to resistance of the cancer chemotherapies and low sensitivity of the commercially available anticancer drugs. Methodology: collection and review of available literatures. Results: Bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) is a cationic peptide with broad spectrum antimicrobial and anticancer activity. It also shows promising activity against many varieties of cancer cells including colon carcinoma cells, melanoma, fibrosarcoma, monocytic leukemic cells and neuroblastoma. It is unaffected by multidrug resistance mechanisms seen with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, and displays a higher specificity for cancer cells versus normal cells in comparison to conventional chemotherapy.  Conclusion: LfcinB exhibit strong antitumor activity effectively penetrating cell membrane, activating caspases and induce apoptosis to cancer cells.