Cathelicidins: Opportunities and Challenges in Skin Therapeutics and Clinical Translation

Cathelicidins, particularly LL-37, are promising antimicrobial peptides for treating skin conditions like melanoma, acne, and diabetic foot ulcers due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. However, their clinical application faces challenges such as high production costs, susceptibility to protease degradation, microbial resistance, and safety concerns like potential mutagenicity. Strategies to overcome these include improving peptide formulation, using advanced drug delivery systems, and exploring plant-based production. Despite promising results in clinical trials, further research is needed to address these challenges and fully realize the therapeutic potential of cathelicidins in dermatology.