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Updated: May 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
Published on: June 9, 2023
Melittin, A Potential Game-changer in the Fight Against Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
Gilles Prince1, Ahmad Assi1, Marc Aoude1
1Hematology-Oncology Department, Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
Introduction:
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Traditional treatments include endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy. Recent studies suggest melittin, a component of bee venom, as a promising breast cancer treatment due to its anticancer properties: inducing cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and gene regulation.
Methods:
This manuscript aims to review melittin's potential therapeutical and future implications in treating breast cancer. An extensive literature search was conducted on MEDLINE and Cochrane databases up to July 2024 using Boolean operators with a combination of keywords. After screening, data extraction, and descriptive analysis, 40 articles were retained.
Results:
Experimental data and different therapeutical strategies were collected. Melittin disrupts tumor cell membranes and modulates key apoptotic pathways. Advanced delivery systems enhance their effectiveness and reduce toxicity. Combining melittin with chemotherapy shows synergistic effects, improving outcomes. Thus, melittin could be a valuable addition to breast cancer therapies.
Conclusion:
Further clinical trials are essential to validate its potential and establish its role in breast cancer therapy.
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