title: Targeting Tumors with Small Molecule Peptides.
abstract: Chemotherapeutic treatment of cancers is a challenging endeavor, hindered by poor selectivity towards tumorous tissues over healthy ones. Preferentially delivering a given drug to tumor sites necessitates the use of targeting elements, of which there are a wide range in development. In this Review, we highlight recent examples of peptide-based targeting ligands that have been exploited to selectively deliver a chemotherapeutic payload to specific tumor-associated sites such as the vasculature, lymphatics, or cell surface. The advantages and limitations of such approaches will be discussed with a view to potential future development. Additionally, we will also examine how peptide-based ligands can be used diagnostically in the detection and characterization of cancers through their incorporation into imaging agents.
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cheetham
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Keith
authors.forename: Pengcheng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States. hcui6@jhu.edu.
authors.forename: Honggang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008024:Ligands; D010455:Peptides; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries