Peptide-based targeting: Novel concept for thrombosis diagnosis and treatment

Accounting for the majority of mortality and morbidity worldwide, thrombosis remains the underlying cause of several life-threatening cardiovascular diseases. Targeted antithrombotic therapies delivered to the desired site enhance the therapeutic outcomes and lower the adverse effects. Peptides that exhibit specificity for thrombin, fibrin and platelets can be effectively leveraged for developing strategies targeting thrombus and its management. The review discusses thrombin targeting, fibrin targeting, and platelet targeting peptide-based therapeutic systems for precise management of thrombosis. Several stimuli-responsive systems accomplishing targeted drug delivery and novel targeted theranostics are also discussed. The recent advances made in the targeted delivery of antithrombotic agents employing specific peptides are summarized that can further aid the development of novel targeted therapeutics.