title: iRGD as a tumor‑penetrating peptide for cancer therapy (Review).
abstract: As a tumor-targeting and ‑penetrating peptide, iRGD binds to αv integrins and neuropilin‑1 receptors, which are expressed at high levels on tumor cells and the surfaces of vasculature. Subsequently, iRGD penetrates deep into the tumor parenchyma with antitumor drugs, imaging agents, immune modulators and biological products. These substances are either chemically linked to the peptide or co‑injected with the peptide. The iRGD peptide can be readily synthesized, exhibits significantly improved penetration, compared with traditional peptides, and can effectively inhibit tumor metastasis. Therefore, the peptide is now used widely for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, whether the peptide is able to promote the entry of drugs into non‑targeted cells remains to be fully elucidated. In this review, an overview of iRGD is presented, focusing on its identification, mechanism of action and previous studies on its roles in various types of cancer. Studies in previous years have demonstrated the potential of the iRGD protein for tumors diagnosis and targeted treatment, which warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Haiyu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jinjing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Junnian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016023:Integrins; D009842:Oligopeptides; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid; D004317:Doxorubicin