bouvardin

Bouvardin is a cyclic hexapeptide natural product that acts as a potent protein synthesis inhibitor and radiation modulator. Originally identified in a screen using *Drosophila melanogaster* for enhancers of ionizing radiation (IR), it has also been shown to selectively inhibit human breast cancer stem cells. Mechanistically, bouvardin blocks translation elongation by binding to the ribosome and preventing the dissociation of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2). By inhibiting protein synthesis, bouvardin impairs the cellular recovery process following genotoxic stress, thereby enhancing the anti-tumor efficacy of radiation therapy. Preclinical studies have demonstrated its potential in treating head and neck cancer (HNC) and glioma, where it significantly increases radiation-induced cell death and reduces tumor growth in xenograft models.