A compound found in honeybee venom has shown the ability to rapidly destroy aggressive breast cancer cells in laboratory experiments, raising interest in how one of nature’s most potent substances could be developed into future cancer treatments.
Researchers from the The University of Western Australia and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research found that honeybee venom and its main active component, melittin, were particularly effective against triple-negative and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells.
The study, published in npj Precision Oncology, found that a specific concentration of honeybee venom could trigger complete cancer cell death in laboratory models while having far less effect on normal cells.
“We found that melittin can completely destroy cancer cell membranes within 60 minutes,” lead researcher Dr. Ciara Duffy said.
Melittin is a small peptide that makes up a major portion of honeybee venom. Researchers found that it attacks the membrane surrounding cancer cells while also disrupting signals that help those cells grow and divide.
The effect began quickly. Within about 20 minutes, melittin substantially reduced chemical signals linked to cancer growth. The study found that it interfered with EGFR and HER2, two receptors involved in aggressive forms of breast cancer.
“We found both honeybee venom and melittin significantly, selectively and rapidly reduced the viability of triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells,” Duffy said.
Researchers also produced synthetic melittin and found that it accounted for much of the anti-cancer effect seen in whole honeybee venom.
The team then tested melittin alongside docetaxel, a chemotherapy drug used against breast cancer. In an animal model of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, the combination produced a stronger antitumor response than either treatment alone.
The findings are especially significant for triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype that lacks several of the receptors commonly targeted by existing therapies and can therefore be harder to treat.
Still, the results do not mean bee venom itself can be used as a cancer treatment. The strongest findings came from cancer cells grown in laboratory conditions and from animal experiments. Researchers would still need to determine how melittin could be delivered safely and precisely in humans without damaging healthy tissue or triggering dangerous reactions.
The study instead points to melittin as a potential building block for future targeted therapies.
“This study provides another wonderful example of where compounds in nature can be used to treat human diseases,” former Western Australian Chief Scientist Professor Peter Klinken said.
