Milk-Derived Peptide Lactoferricin Kills Leukemia Cells via Oxidative Stress
Lactoferricin B, a peptide from bovine milk protein, induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells through reactive oxygen species generation.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Lactoferricin B at concentrations up to 50 μg/ml induced dose- and time-dependent apoptosis in THP-1 human monocytic leukemia cells, with reactive oxygen species playing a key mechanistic role.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
In vitro cell culture study using THP-1 human monocytic leukemia cells, apoptosis assays, ROS measurement, and antioxidant intervention to confirm the oxidative stress mechanism.
Why This Research Matters
Identifying natural food-derived peptides with anticancer activity opens possibilities for novel therapeutic agents with potentially better safety profiles than conventional chemotherapy drugs.
The Bigger Picture
Lactoferricin is part of a growing body of research on bioactive peptides derived from food proteins. Its ability to selectively kill cancer cells through oxidative stress suggests that milk-derived peptides may have therapeutic applications beyond nutrition, contributing to the field of peptide-based oncology.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single cell line tested (THP-1). In vitro only — no animal or human data. Selectivity for cancer cells over normal cells not fully characterized. Bovine-derived peptide may have different activity than human lactoferricin.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does lactoferricin show selectivity for cancer cells over healthy cells?
- ?Could lactoferricin be effective against solid tumors or only hematological cancers?
- ?What is the optimal delivery method to achieve therapeutic concentrations in vivo?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 50 μg/ml Lfcin-B Induced dose-dependent apoptosis in human leukemia cells through reactive oxygen species generation
- Evidence Grade:
- Early-stage in vitro study demonstrating a novel mechanism. Promising but requires extensive validation in animal models and human studies.
- Study Age:
- Published in 1997, this was among the first studies to demonstrate lactoferricin's anticancer properties. Subsequent research has expanded on these findings.
- Original Title:
- Apoptosis in human leukemic cells induced by lactoferricin, a bovine milk protein-derived peptide: involvement of reactive oxygen species.
- Published In:
- Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 237(3), 624-8 (1997)
- Authors:
- Yoo, Y C, Watanabe, R, Koike, Y, Mitobe, M, Shimazaki, K, Watanabe, S, Azuma, I
- Database ID:
- RPEP-00441
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lactoferricin?
Lactoferricin is a small peptide released when the milk protein lactoferrin is digested. It has antimicrobial and, as this study shows, potential anticancer properties.
Does drinking milk give you anticancer benefits from lactoferricin?
While lactoferricin is produced during digestion of milk protein, the concentrations achieved in the body are likely much lower than those used in this lab study. More research is needed to understand dietary relevance.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-00441APA
Yoo, Y C; Watanabe, R; Koike, Y; Mitobe, M; Shimazaki, K; Watanabe, S; Azuma, I. (1997). Apoptosis in human leukemic cells induced by lactoferricin, a bovine milk protein-derived peptide: involvement of reactive oxygen species.. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 237(3), 624-8.
MLA
Yoo, Y C, et al. "Apoptosis in human leukemic cells induced by lactoferricin, a bovine milk protein-derived peptide: involvement of reactive oxygen species.." Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 1997.
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Apoptosis in human leukemic cells induced by lactoferricin, ..." RPEP-00441. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/yoo-1997-apoptosis-in-human-leukemic
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.