Development of peptide inhibitor as a therapeutic agent against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) targeting p38α MAP kinase

► p38α, an inflammatory MAP kinase plays an important role in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). ► A tetrapeptide, VWCS was designed and synthesized against the ATP binding site of the p38 α kinase. ► The peptide VWCS showed an efficient interaction with the ATP binding site as determined by the KD and IC50 value. ► VWCS also exhibited anti-cancerous activity and induced apoptosis.