16/07/2025
Australian research from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, published in 2020 in "Nature Precision Oncology", found that honeybee venom, specifically its main component melittin, can kill 100% of aggressive breast cancer cells, including triple-negative and HER2-enriched subtypes, within 60 minutes.
Led by Dr. Ciara Duffy, the study tested venom from 312 honeybees and bumblebees from Australia, Ireland, and England. The venom, particularly melittin, was highly effective against these hard-to-treat cancers, with minimal harm to healthy cells. Melittin works by forming pores in cancer cell membranes, causing cell death, and within 20 minutes, it disrupts cancer signaling pathways critical for growth and division.
When combined with chemotherapy drugs like docetaxel, melittin enhanced tumor suppression in mice. The venom from Perth bees, noted as among the healthiest, showed consistent effects across regions, unlike bumblebee venom, which lacked melittin and was ineffective.
While promising, this research is in early stages, conducted in lab and mouse models, not humans. Further studies are needed to assess delivery methods, toxicity, and clinical efficacy before it can be considered a viable treatment.
