Insect antimicrobial peptides: potential tools for the prevention of skin cancer.

Miray Tonk,Mohammad Rahnamaeian,Andreas Vilcinskas

doi:10.1007/s00253-016-7718-y

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs) are biologically active molecules with diverse structural properties that are produced by mammals, plants, insects, ticks, and microorganisms. They have a range of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and even anticancer activities, and their biological properties could therefore be exploited for therapeutic and prophylactic applications. Cancer and cancer drug resistance are significant current health challenges, so the development of innovative cancer drugs with minimal toxicity toward normal cells and novel modes of action that can evade resistance may provide a new direction for anticancer therapy. The skin is the first line of defense against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection, and skin cancer is thus the most common type of cancer. The skin that has been exposed to sunlight is particularly susceptible, but lesions can occur anywhere on the body. Skin cancer awareness and self-efficacy are necessary to improve sun protection behavior, but more effective preventative approaches are also required. AMPs may offer a new prophylactic approach against skin cancer. In this mini review, we draw attention to the potential use of insect AMPs for the prevention and treatment of skin cancer.

Highlights

Despite efforts to develop effective new treatments, cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the world (Siegel et al 2014)
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type, involving cells of the upper skin layers, and is more likely to spread to areas under the skin
Several insect Antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs) show cytotoxic effects against diverse cancer cell lines, such as mouse myeloma, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer, and lung cancer (Iwasaki et al 2009; Kang et al 2012; Kim et al 2013; Xiao et al 2006). These anticancer peptides (ACPs) are characterized by high therapeutic efficacy, a low probability of resistance emerging in target cells, and limited or no toxicity against mammalian erythrocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts (Barbault et al 2003; Saido-Sakanaka et al 2004; Yamada et al 2005)

Summary

Introduction

Despite efforts to develop effective new treatments, cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the world (Siegel et al 2014). Several insect AMPs show cytotoxic effects against diverse cancer cell lines, such as mouse myeloma, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer, and lung cancer (Iwasaki et al 2009; Kang et al 2012; Kim et al 2013; Xiao et al 2006) These anticancer peptides (ACPs) are characterized by high therapeutic efficacy, a low probability of resistance emerging in target cells, and limited or no toxicity against mammalian erythrocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts (Barbault et al 2003; Saido-Sakanaka et al 2004; Yamada et al 2005). The rapid killing of cells by ACPs may indicate the prevalence of a non-receptor-mediated mode of action, some non-membranolytic activities have been described (Sharma 1992; Wachinger et al 1998; Winder et al 1998) These include the inhibition of angiogenesis, which is essential for the formation of tumor-associated vasculature (Schweizer 2009). The pH sensitivity of cationic AMPs affects their activity, so the pH and ionic strength of the carrier matrix must be optimized to achieve the greatest efficacy

Concluding remarks

Compliance with ethical standards