TAT-Cx43 reduces the survival of glioblastoma cells that do not respond to temozolomide, suggesting that it could be used in combination with current GBM treatments.
Src is an important therapeutic target in GBM (Du et al. Nat Biotechnol. 2009;27:77–83).
One of the main advantages of the Src inhibitor peptide, TAT-Cx43, is its specificity and lack of toxicity. Unlike Dasatinib, TAT-Cx43 acts specifically on tumour cells with no toxic effects on neurons or astrocytes (Jaraíz-Rodríguez et al, Neuro-Oncology, 2020; Pelaz et al, EBioMedicine, 2020).
TAT-PEPTIDES AS DRUGS FOR CNS
Nerinetide by NoNo is a TAT peptide (NA-1, Tat-NR2B9) which has been used in clinical trials in stroke patients and has been shown to be effective and safe after intravenous administration (NA-1, Tat-NR2B9 (nerinetide, in patients with stroke. Hill et al. Lancet Neurol 11, 942-950 (2012). Hill et al. Lancet 395 878-887.