Lytic Peptides as Anticancer Therapeutics: Lessons Learned from a Novel Design Approach

Lytic peptides represent a novel class of therapeutics that from our view, have not received much attention clinically for the treatment of common cancers. This is partly due to the lack of tumor specificity of these compounds compared with other classes of therapies which enhances the possibilility of unwanted side effects. Herein we detail the use of lytic peptides from their initial use as anti-bacterical/anti-fungal agents to now prospective cancer therapeutic agents. Additionally, we describe a novel design approach that facilitates the modulation of physical peptide characteristics and how this translates lytic activity.