Exploring the Current Potential of Snake Venom Disintegrins as Chemotherapeutic Agents: A Narrative Update on their Clinical Translational Potential

Abstract

A potential source of multiple enzymatic and nonenzymatic molecules that protect the host is snake venom. In these venoms, several kinds of peptides that have significant beneficial effects were discovered and characterized. Disintegrins act by blocking integrins on transmembrane cell surfaces, inhibiting tumor cells from adhering, migrating, forming new blood vessels, and spreading. This has an important effect on delaying the development, neovascularization, and growth of tumors. These cells are ideal candidates for novel therapies for the management of malignancies due to their tumor selectivity and decreased size. As research findings in various <i>in vivo</i> & <i>in vitro</i>, disintegrin proteins are low-molecular-weight polypeptides that are found in the venom of vipers and rattle snakes. They act by blocking the β1 and β3 integrin receptors. Angiogenesis and metastatic processes in cancer are mediated through β1 and β3 integrins. Hence, blocking β1 and β3 integrin receptors plays a prominent role in blocking the progression of cancer, and disintegrins seem to be promising candidates for antineoplastic therapies. The disintegrins with anticancer properties include Crotatroxin 2, Alternagin-C, Rubistatin, Leucurogin, Mojastin- 1, Contortrostatin, Acostatin, Vicrostatin, Tzabcan, Eristostatin, Purpureomaculatus, Saxatilin, Lebein, Salmosin, and Rhodostomin. The above mentioned disintegrins were considered in this study. This review is based on the origins of these disintegrins, their modes of targeting, their categorization, and their inherent anticancer potential.