P18 peptide

P18 peptide is a functional fragment derived from pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF), an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor. It has demonstrated anti-angiogenic bioactivity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by inhibiting the migration and tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro and suppressing xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Its mechanism involves targeting vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) on endothelial cells, inhibiting its phosphorylation, and consequently modulating the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway and suppressing PI3K/Akt cascades, which ultimately leads to mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis of endothelial cells. This activity suggests its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC.