Short-engineered peptides that have selective actions against bacteria and cancer cells

摘要

The present invention relates to amphiphilic peptides having antibacterial and/or antitumor activity, and to therapeutic and non-therapeutic compositions comprising these peptides. The peptides are of structural formula I or II shown below wherein A1, v, A2, w, A3, x, y, A4, z, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the application; or a salt thereof. The invention further relates to use of the peptides as antibacterial agents, or antitumor agents, including the medical use of the peptide in treating infection and/or cancer, as well as their use as preservatives and antibacterial agents in other products, including personal care products such as skin topical treatments, cleansers, mouth washes, toothpastes, shampoo, body lotions and creams etc.