In Vivo Studies of Anticancer Peptides for Breast Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Context: Breast cancer is a major cause of mortality worldwide. It involves the proliferation of cells within breast tissues and metastasis to other organs. Currently, several strategies exist to address this challenging disease, but none are both promising and safe, often exposing patients to complications. Consequently, alternative therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Anticancer peptides (ACPs), due to their considerable efficacy and low toxicity, hold high therapeutic value in combating breast cancer. Reviewing the activity, toxicity, and mechanisms of ACPs, as reported in original articles from this era, can lead to better judgment regarding their implementation in clinical trials. Evidence Acquisition: We conducted a search in the PubMed database for original articles published in English from 1963 to 2025. The search strategy is outlined in Appendix 1 in Supplementary File. This study included original articles that investigated the anticancer effects of peptides in vivo. Excluded from the analysis were studies conducted only in vitro or those that investigated other properties of the peptide, such as delivery, imaging, or vaccination, without examining the anticancer effects of the peptide on tumors. Additionally, articles written in languages other than English, as well as reviews and duplicates, were excluded. Results: A search of the PubMed database yielded 3,552 articles. After removing duplicates and review papers, 3,147 articles were deemed suitable and qualified for analysis. Following a screening process based on titles and abstracts, 3,080 publications were excluded due to lack of relevance, leaving 67 articles that met our inclusion criteria for full-text review (Appendix 2 in Supplementary File). The anticancer properties of the reviewed peptides are summarized in Appendix 3 in Supplementary File. Conclusions: The development of ACPs represents a hopeful and innovative frontier in the fight against breast cancer. Through ongoing research, ACPs could emerge as a vital component of treatment options, providing new hope for patients worldwide.