Redox state associated with antitumor and immunomodulatory peptides in cancer

Abstract

Cancer, a major public health problem, is the fourth cause of death in the world. While cancer mortality has decreased in recent decades due to more effective treatments, mostly based on improving antitumor immunity, some forms of cancer are resistant to these immunotherapies. A promising approach for cancer treatment involves the administration of antitumor and immunomodulatory peptides. Immunomodulatory peptides have been proved to exert antitumor and immunomodulatory effects by activating immune cells such as cytotoxic T cells, with fewer side-effects. A process closely related to the regulation of the immune system by immunomodulatory antitumor peptides is the modulation of the redox state, which has been poorly studied. This review focuses on the redox state regulated by antitumor and immunomodulatory peptides in cancer development, and on the potential of redox state as a therapy associated with these peptides in cancer treatment.

Keywords: Antitumor peptides; Cancer immunotherapy; Immunomodulatory peptides; Redox state.