1. Academic Validation
  2. Lunasin as a Promising Plant-Derived Peptide for Cancer Therapy

Lunasin as a Promising Plant-Derived Peptide for Cancer Therapy

  • Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 23;23(17):9548. doi: 10.3390/ijms23179548.
Stephanny Miranda Alves de Souza 1 2 Blanca Hernández-Ledesma 3 Theo Luiz Ferraz de Souza 1 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil.
  • 2 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nanobiossistemas, Duque de Caxias 25240-005, Brazil.
  • 3 Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL, CSIC-UAM, CEI UAM + CSIC), C/Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract

Cancer has become one of the main public health problems worldwide, demanding the development of new therapeutic agents that can help reduce mortality. Lunasin is a soybean peptide that has emerged as an attractive option because its preventive and therapeutic actions against Cancer. In this review, we evaluated available research on lunasin's structure and mechanism of action, which should be useful for the development of lunasin-based therapeutic products. We described data on its primary, secondary, tertiary, and possible quaternary structure, susceptibility to post-translational modifications, and structural stability. These characteristics are important for understanding drug activity and characterizing lunasin products. We also provided an overview of research on lunasin pharmacokinetics and safety. Studies examining lunasin's mechanisms of action against Cancer were reviewed, highlighting reported activities, and known molecular partners. Finally, we briefly discussed commercially available lunasin products and potential combination therapeutics.

Keywords

anticancer mechanism of action; cancer therapy; lunasin; pharmacokinetics; structural features; therapeutic peptides.

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