Abstract: A modified peptide AT-01 has been synthesized from the microbiomic secretory protein MPT63 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This peptide (about 30 amino acids) contains a portion of the immunogenic region of MPT63 (131 amino acids). It has been found to stabilize SMAR1 (Scaffold Matrix Attachment Region Binding Protein 1), a tumor suppressor protein which is well characterized as anti-cancer. AT-01 was modified further to generate 6 new, independent peptides. Among the peptides AT-01 C and AT-01 D were found to be more effective than the other peptides. AT-01 D also attenuated cell migration of MDA-MB231 cells which supports the anti-metastatic activity. Inhibition of the cell growth from the Colony Formation Assays too supported its anticancer activity. It does not cause toxicity to the cells at high doses which demonstrates great potential value as a safe and effective cancer therapy.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides microbial products as anticancer agents and pharmaceutical compositions comprising isolated and purified proteins or synthetic peptides, and methods of using them for the treatment of cancer. It is very important to develop new anticancer bioactive peptides having high activity and low toxicity; given that most currently available anticancer therapies either have significant toxicity, and/or are prone to development of resistance.

Abstract: The present invention thus provides microbial products as anticancer agents and pharmaceutical compositions comprising isolated and purified proteins or synthetic peptides, and methods of using them for the treatment of cancer. It is very important to develop new anticancer bioactive peptides having high activity and low toxicity; given that most currently available anticancer therapies either have significant toxicity, and/or are prone to development of resistance.