Therapeutic Peptides | New Frontier in Targeted Medicine

Therapeutic Peptides | New Frontier in Targeted Medicine

Therapeutic peptides are a promising frontier in precise medicine, leveraging unique properties for targeted treatment. Advancements in production, modification, and delivery have surmounted challenges. Originating from human hormones and natural sources, peptides hold potential for various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. They offer a transformative approach for tailored, effective medical interventions.

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern medicine, therapeutic peptides have emerged as a promising avenue for targeted and precise treatment. These short chains of amino acids hold immense potential due to their distinctive properties and mechanisms of action. The production and modification of peptides [1] have been achieved using both chemical and biological methods, along with new design and delivery strategies. This has enabled peptides to overcome their inherent disadvantages and continue to progress.

What are therapeutic peptides?

Therapeutic peptides represent a distinct category of pharmaceutical agents composed of meticulously arranged amino acids, often weighing between 500 and 5000 Da. The journey into researching therapeutic peptides [2] commenced with foundational investigations into natural human hormones—such as insulin, oxytocin, vasopressin, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)—and their specific physiological functions within the human body.

Since the inaugural synthesis of insulin, the first therapeutic peptide, in 1921, notable advancements have been achieved, leading to the approval of over 80 peptide drugs worldwide. This evolution in peptide drug development has established itself as a prominent subject within pharmaceutical research.

Peptides Found From Living Organisms

Bioactive peptides produced by bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals are capable of exhibiting therapeutic properties. VEGF-F and svVEGF, for example, are analogues of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) found in snake venom. The cyclic peptides, which are rich in disulfide bonds and often have fewer than 80 residues, are responsible for cytotoxicity by targeting ion channels and membrane receptors. In recent years, venom peptides have been adapted for therapeutic purposes, such as exenatide, which is derived from Gila monster venom. A peptide derived from Conus magus venom, ziconotide, has also shown promise in treating chronic neuropathic pain.

Discover more: https://www.pharmafocuseurope.com/articles/revolutionizing-biomanufacturing-single-use-systems-at-the-forefront