Bac-ELP-p21

Bac-ELP-p21 is a thermally responsive chimeric polypeptide designed for targeted cancer therapy. It consists of three functional components: a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) derived from bactenecin (Bac), an elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) carrier, and a therapeutic peptide derived from the p21 protein (p21WAF1/CIP1). The ELP component allows the construct to remain soluble at physiological temperatures but aggregate and accumulate in tissues subjected to local hyperthermia (above 40°C). The Bac CPP facilitates nuclear penetration, while the p21 peptide inhibits the cell cycle at the G1/S transition by targeting cyclin-dependent kinases. This drug candidate has been investigated in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer to improve the pharmacokinetics and tumor-specific delivery of p21, thereby reducing systemic toxicity.