melittin

Melittin (Integrin-Targeted Melittin) is an evolutionary-inspired, preclinical-stage engineered peptide being developed by Peel Therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumors. Melittin is a natural, cytolytic 26-amino-acid peptide and the primary toxin found in European honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) venom, which naturally destroys cells by forming pores in their membranes. To overcome its non-specific hemolytic toxicity, Peel Therapeutics has engineered melittin to target integrins, which are transmembrane proteins overexpressed on the surface of tumor cells and within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This targeting mechanism is designed to deliver the pore-forming peptide selectively to cancer cells, triggering localized cell death while sparing healthy red blood cells.

Other names

Integrin-Targeted MelittinIntegrin-targeted honeybee toxinIntegrin-targeted honeybee toxin peptide