Cationic amphipathic peptide analogs of cathelicidin LL-37 as a probe in the development of antimicrobial/anticancer agents.

Cathelicidin LL-37 belongs to the class of human defense peptides and is overexpressed in many cancers. Segments of LL-37 derived through biochemical processes have a wide range of activities. In this study, novel analogs of the 13-amino acid cathelicidin 17-29 amide segment F KRIV QR IK DF LR-NH were prepared and examined for their antimicrobial and hemolytic activities, as well as for their cytotoxicity on cancer bronchial epithelial cells.