Researchers developed peptide-drug conjugates for targeted therapy of malignant melanoma.

The most effective conjugate was connected to the side chain of Lys, which showed high tumor growth inhibition activity.

The study also investigated alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) as a targeted drug delivery system with significant antitumor effects.

Conjugates with two drug molecules showed the highest antitumor activity.

Optimization of the α-MSH peptide sequence led to the synthesis of Conj4 with promising antitumor efficacy.

The study emphasized the importance of drug position in the conjugate and the acetylated N-terminus in native α-MSH.

The use of peptides in nanomedicine enhances the efficacy and safety of cancer treatments and opens new research directions.

Peptides integrated into nanoparticles improve cancer cell targeting, minimize damage to healthy tissues, and optimize drug delivery.

Peptides can serve as cancer-targeting ligands, building blocks for self-assembling nanostructures, and elements of stimuli-responsive systems.

Peptide-functionalized nanomedicine offers a potential solution for delivering drugs directly to cancer cells.