KLALKLALK-Ahx-RWQWRWQWR

KLALKLALK-Ahx-RWQWRWQWR (also known as Peptide 14) is a synthetic hybrid peptide designed for the treatment of cervical cancer. It is a chimeric molecule composed of a cell-penetrating peptide (KLALKLALK) and an anticancer peptide sequence (RWQWRWQWR) derived from bovine lactoferricin, linked by a 6-aminohexanoic acid (Ahx) spacer. The peptide's mechanism of action involves initial electrostatic attraction to negatively charged components on the cancer cell surface, followed by membrane disruption or internalization to induce cell death. In preclinical in vitro assays, it demonstrated significant and rapid cytotoxic activity against HeLa and Ca Ski cervical cancer cell lines. The research was conducted by a consortium of Colombian institutions, including the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.