In recent years, research efforts have increased to develop new therapeutics aimed at combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. These efforts focus on inhibiting the virulence factors bacteria secrete to proliferate. This review aims to highlight the advances in these antivirulence therapies, with a particular emphasis on those utilizing peptides to inhibit toxin activity. Specifically, we will review the mechanism of action of a group of toxins known as Repeat in ToXins (RTX) and the progress made regarding the use of peptides to inhibit their action. Notably, we will discuss the use of peptides mimicking either cholesterol recognition/interaction amino acid consensus (CRAC) or CARC motifs, which are similar to CRAC motifs but have the opposite orientation, to reduce their interaction with cholesterol in target cells. We will present results corresponding to the inhibition of three characteristic toxins of this group: HlyA from Escherichia coli, LtxA from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and CyaA from Bordetella pertussis. While these advances are very recent, they are promising for the development of new therapies. The advantage of this type of therapy is that it reduces the selective pressure for the growth of resistant bacteria.

A very new and highly specialized category of radiotracers that is still growing is radiolabeled peptides. Radiolabeled peptides, or radiopeptides, are powerful elements for diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy. These laboratory-manufactured peptides have gained attention due to their unique properties. The tiny structure of these peptides compared to proteins and antibodies makes them favorable regarding their availability through simple synthesis from amino acids, easy uptake by receptors on cancer cells, and high specificity and affinity for high-quality and accurate radio imaging. This study highlighted the potential of technetium-99m-labeled peptides in advancing diagnostic capabilities in directed research in Latin America.

Apoptosis is a crucial process to maintain the correct balance between healthy cells and committed-to-death cells in every tissue. The internal (or mitochondrial) and external (or death receptor) pathways are responsible for driving a series of molecular events that lead to apoptosis by releasing pro-apoptotic proteins, such as B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) homology 3 (BH3)-only proteins and second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases/diablo inhibitor of apoptosis protein-binding mitochondrial protein (SMAC/DIABLO), that in turn activate the caspase family of proteases. By counterbalancing the apoptogenic machinery, anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members turn off pro-apoptotic signalling, favouring cell survival, a circumstance that is particularly pronounced in tumour cells in which apoptosis is deranged. Therefore, targeting the defective apoptotic process has become a viable therapeutic option for the treatment of several cancers and much effort is being made in the research and development of effective compounds. This review discussed and updated the most promising therapeutic strategies that target deranged apoptosis process in cancer by mimicking the pro-apoptotic effects of BH3-only and SMAC/DIABLO proteins.

Phytochemicals, the bioactive compounds derived from plants, play a significant role in modulating pathways leading to cancer and inflammation, rendering themselves promising candidates for therapeutic interventions. This review explores the multifaceted potential of various phytochemicals in modulating key mechanisms involved in the development and progression of cancer and inflammation. The diverse array of phytochemicals discussed here encompasses polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and many others, each with distinct molecular targets and modes of action. This review is an attempt to elucidate and correlate the regulatory role of phytochemicals on cellular signaling pathways implicated in oncogenesis and inflammatory responses, highlighting the significance and potential of phytochemical-based therapies for cancer prevention and treatment, as well as for managing inflammatory conditions. By exploring the promising potential of phytochemical-based remedies for cancer prevention, treatment, and inflammatory conditions and emphasizing their diverse roles in modulating critical regulatory mechanisms, this review addresses the current research landscape, challenges, and future directions in utilizing phytochemicals as effective agents against cancer and inflammation.