Insect antimicrobial peptides: potential tools for the prevention of skin cancer

• Published in: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 100; no. 17; pp. 7397 - 7405
• Main Authors: Tonk, Miray, Vilcinskas, Andreas, Rahnamaeian, Mohammad
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.09.2016; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Biological properties; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Breast cancer; Cancer prevention; Cancer therapies; Chemotherapy; Cosmetics industry; Cytotoxicity; Drug resistance; Health aspects; Heparan sulfate; Humans; Innovations; Insect Proteins - therapeutic use; Insecta - metabolism; Insects; Ixodidae; Life Sciences; Mammals; Melanoma; Membranes; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Mini-Review; Peptides; Prevention; Proteins; Radiation; Skin cancer; Skin Neoplasms - drug therapy; Skin Neoplasms - prevention & control; Studies; Sun; Sunlight; Toxicity; Tumors; Sun cream; Cosmetic industry; Antimicrobial peptides; Prophylaxis; Skin cancer
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614
• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7718-y

Antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs) are biologically active molecules with diverse structural properties that are produced by mammals, plants, insects, ticks, and microorganisms. They have a range of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and even anticancer activities, and their biological properties could therefore be exploited for therapeutic and prophylactic applications. Cancer and cancer drug resistance are significant current health challenges, so the development of innovative cancer drugs with minimal toxicity toward normal cells and novel modes of action that can evade resistance may provide a new direction for anticancer therapy. The skin is the first line of defense against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection, and skin cancer is thus the most common type of cancer. The skin that has been exposed to sunlight is particularly susceptible, but lesions can occur anywhere on the body. Skin cancer awareness and self-efficacy are necessary to improve sun protection behavior, but more effective preventative approaches are also required. AMPs may offer a new prophylactic approach against skin cancer. In this mini review, we draw attention to the potential use of insect AMPs for the prevention and treatment of skin cancer.