Honeybee venom kills breast cancer cells: study

A study conducted by the University of Western Australia's Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research has revealed that bee venom and melatonin can be effective in killing cancer cells, offering new hope in the fight against breast cancer.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, often diagnosed at advanced stages. 

Researchers have been tirelessly working to find innovative solutions to combat this deadly disease. 

The study, published in the international journal NPJ Nature Precision Oncology, examined the venom of 312 bees and bumblebees from Perth, Western Australia, Ireland, and England.

The research team, which was led by Dr Ciara Duffy, discovered that bee venom rapidly destroys triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells. 

The breakthrough finding has significant implications for the development of targeted cancer therapies.

Melatonin, a hormone regulating sleep-wake cycles, was also found to destroy cancer cell membranes within 60 minutes. 

Melatonin reduced cancer cell movement, essential for growth and division, in just 20 minutes. 

Researchers suggested combining melatonin with small molecules or chemotherapy to combat breast cancer.

To test the theory, scientists conducted experiments on rats, achieving remarkable results in reducing cancer growth.

The pioneering study is the first to compare the effects of honeybee venom and melatonin across all breast cancer subtypes and normal cells.

The findings open new avenues for cancer research, potentially leading to more effective treatments.

As scientists continue to explore the therapeutic potential of bee venom and melatonin, hope rises for improving breast cancer outcomes and saving lives.