Natural Peptides Exhibit Dual Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Roles, Offering New Cancer Therapy Avenues

Despite advancements, cancer remains a leading cause of death, with traditional therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy often burdened by severe side effects and drug resistance. This necessitates novel molecular approaches. Natural peptides have emerged as promising candidates due to their structural diversity, biocompatibility, and selective tumor targeting. They offer a unique opportunity to address the limitations of current treatments by engaging multiple therapeutic pathways.

This comprehensive review critically evaluated available literature on the anticancer and immunomodulatory activities of natural peptides. Researchers analyzed studies focusing on their potential as both monotherapy and in combination therapy. The evaluation paid particular attention to practical challenges such as peptide stability, bioavailability, and scalability of production. The aim was to synthesize current knowledge and identify promising future directions, including the integration of natural peptides with synthetic derivatives and modern approaches like nanotechnology and personalized medicine.

Natural peptides were found to directly inhibit tumor growth and proliferation primarily by inhibiting angiogenesis. Concurrently, they exhibited significant immunomodulatory effects, enhancing the activation of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. This dual action contributes to their therapeutic potential. The review highlighted that natural peptides positively alter the tumor microenvironment (TME), shifting it towards an anti-tumor state. This multifaceted approach positions them as versatile agents capable of overcoming limitations associated with traditional therapies, such as drug resistance. Their inherent structural diversity, biocompatibility, and ability to selectively target tumor cells were identified as key advantages over conventional drugs. The integration of natural peptides with synthetic derivatives and advanced delivery systems like nanotechnology represents a promising area for future development. > Natural peptides demonstrate a dual role, directly inhibiting tumor growth and proliferation while also exhibiting immunomodulatory effects by enhancing T lymphocyte and natural killer cell activation.