Use of a neurofilament peptide for the treatment of glioma

Abstract

The present invention provides a new drug to treat malignant glioma, which is the most prevalent type of primary tumor of the central nervous system (CNS). The present invention indeed shows that the isolated NFL-TBS 40-63 peptide is highly specific for glioma cells, in which it triggers apoptosis. It is therefore presented here for use in a method for treating malignant glioma. The present invention further relates to the use of the NFL-TBS 40-63 peptide for detecting specifically glioma cells either in vivo, or in vitro, or for addressing chemical compounds to said tumor cells.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for addressing or targeting a chemical compound to glioma cells in vivo in a subject in need thereof, or in vitro, comprising the step of providing an amino acid sequence comprising the NFL-TBS40-63 peptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a biologically active derivative thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said chemical compound is a pharmaceutical compound or a labelling marker. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said chemical compound is encapsulated in nanocapsules which are coupled to said peptide. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said amino acid sequence consists of the NFL-TBS40-63 peptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a biologically active derivative thereof.