Achieving anticancer peptides: Protein-lipid interactions in breast cancer models

Within the last decade, bioactive peptides with anti-cancer properties have become part of the therapeutic arsenal. While being less hazardous to normal cells, membrane-lytic peptides function as possible anti-cancer drugs that specifically target tumour cells leading to necrotic cell death. Anti-cancer peptides (ACP) can be easily restructured, have great selectivity and penetration efficiency, and are obtained from a variety of natural sources. However, the malignant cell selectivity of ACPs remains elusive. Human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumours are known for having a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. By understanding the lipidome of TNBC cells in comparison with their healthy counterparts, the development of targeted treatments can be better realised. This work builds on our understanding of TNBC tumours and explores protein-lipid interactions using lipidomic and mass spectrometry approaches to better understand the molecular determinants of ACP selectivity.