HMGN2 peptides and related molecules that selectively home to tumor blood vessels and tumor cells
The present invention provides a conjugate which contains a therapeutic moiety linked to a homing molecule that selectively homes to tumor blood vessels and tumor cells and that specifically binds the receptor bound by peptide KDEPQRRSARLSAKPAPPKPEPKPKKAPAKK (SEQ ID NO: 9). Methods of directing a conjugate of the invention to tumor blood vessels and tumor cells and of using a conjugate to treat cancer also are provided.
1. A conjugate containing:
(a) a homing peptide comprising the amino acid sequence PQRRSARLSA (SEQ ID NO: 11) said peptide having a length of less than 70 residues, wherein said peptide specifically binds nucleolin expressed on the surface of a tumor cell; and
(b) a therapeutic moiety or a detectable label.
2. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 60 residues.
3. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 50 residues.
4. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 45 residues.
5. The isolated peptide conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 40 residues.
6. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 35 residues.
7. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic moiety is an anti angiogenic agent.
8. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic moiety is a cytotoxic agent.
9. The conjugate of claim 1 , wherein the detectable label is a fluorescent label.
10. A conjugate containing:
(a) a homing peptide that selectively homes to tumor blood vessels or tumor cells, comprising the amino acid sequence PQRRSARLSA (SEQ ID NO: 11), said peptide having a length of less than 70 residues; and
(b) a therapeutic moiety or a detectable label.
11. The conjugate of claim 10 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 60 residues.
12. The conjugate of claim 10 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 50 residues.
13. The conjugate of claim 10 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 45 residues.
14. The conjugate of claim 10 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 40 residues.
15. The conjugate of claim 10 , wherein the peptide has a length of less than 35 residues.