Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, which emphasizes the need for novel and efficient treatments. Melittin, the main component of bee venom (BV), which is generated by Apis mellifera, has drawn attention for its potent anticancer activities. In a number of breast cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and 4T1, melittin has strong cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic, and anti-metastatic activities. It causes controlled cell death by rupturing cancer cell membranes, causing mitochondrial malfunction, triggering caspases, and producing reactive oxygen species. Phospholipase A₂ and other BV components work in concert to amplify these effects. Recent developments in melittin-loaded nanocarriers, including liposomes, PLGA nanoparticles, and magnetic nanoparticles, have enhanced therapeutic efficacy, reduced systemic toxicity, and enhanced drug targeting. Furthermore, mixing melittin or bee venom with chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin or tamoxifen increases apoptosis and decreases treatment resistance. Despite encouraging preclinical findings, issues like cytotoxicity to healthy cells, allergenicity, and a lack of human clinical trials need to be resolved. According to available data, bee venom, especially melittin, has a great deal of promise as a novel or supplemental treatment approach for breast cancer. This calls for more research through sophisticated preclinical and clinical trials.
Rabbana S.*1, Renuga Devi V.1, Swetha R.1, Thaiyabul Fashila J.1, Suriyakala P.2 (Fri,) studied this question.