SRI International researchers have developed a new peptide for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, the most common form of lung cancer. The peptide can carry large anti-cancer drugs and successfully target cancerous cells, binding to them and drawing the peptide and its drug inside. The use of peptides instead of antibodies offers several advantages, including deeper penetration into tumors and the ability to chemically produce peptides for precise control and faster, less expensive production. The researchers used a proprietary selection process to find the right peptide and tested it with a toxic protein called saporin, showing successful delivery to lung cancer tumors in mice with reduced tumor size after 18 days of treatment. This peptide has potential as a tool in developing targeted therapies for lung cancer and can carry a variety of drugs.
