KWQWKWQWK-Ahx-RRWQWR

KWQWKWQWK-Ahx-RRWQWR is an experimental hybrid anticancer peptide (ACP) designed for the treatment of cervical cancer. Developed by researchers at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and affiliated institutions, this molecule is a chimera constructed using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). It consists of a modified palindromic sequence derived from bovine lactoferricin (KWQWKWQWK), where arginine residues have been replaced by lysine to potentially reduce synthesis costs while maintaining activity, linked via a 6-aminohexanoic acid (Ahx) spacer to a shorter anticancer peptide fragment (RRWQWR). The drug exhibits potent, rapid, and concentration-dependent cytotoxic activity against HeLa and Ca Ski cervical cancer cell lines. Its mechanism of action involves initial electrostatic interactions between the cationic peptide and negatively charged components of the cancer cell surface, followed by membrane disruption or internalization that induces apoptotic cell death.