Publications by authors named "M Cavaco"
Brain metastases (BM) are frequently found in cancer patients and, though their precise incidence is difficult to estimate, there is evidence for a correlation between BM and specific primary cancers, such as lung, breast, and skin (melanoma). Among all these, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed among women and, in this case, BM cause a critical reduction of the overall survival (OS), especially in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. The main challenge of BM treatment is the impermeable nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which shields the central nervous systems (CNS) from chemotherapeutic drugs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBlood-brain barrier (BBB) peptide-shuttles (BBBpS) are able to translocate the BBB and reach the brain. Despite the importance of brain targeting in pharmacology, BBBpS are poorly characterized. Currently, their development relies on the empiric assumption that cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), with proven ability to traverse lipid membranes, will likewise behave as a BBBpS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * A new dual-acting peptide, PepH3-vCPP2319, combines a cancer-targeting peptide with one that helps cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), effectively killing TNBC cells without harming healthy cells.
- * This peptide shows promise by rapidly penetrating the brain and exhibiting a multi-targeted approach that damages cancer cells and triggers cell death, potentially offering a new treatment strategy for TNBC and its brain metastases.