Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), Marília, São Paulo 17519-030, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília, São Paulo 17525-902, Brazil; Department of Administration, Associate Degree in Hospital Management, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília, São Paulo 17525-902, Brazil.
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília, São Paulo 17525-902, Brazil.
Pharmacol Res. 2024 Nov;209:107430. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107430. Epub 2024 Sep 26.
The therapeutic potential of bee venom-derived peptides, particularly apamin and melittin, in cancer treatment has garnered significant attention as a promising avenue for advancing oncology. This systematic review examines preclinical studies highlighting the emerging role of these peptides in enhancing cancer therapies. Melittin and apamin, when conjugated with other therapeutic agents or formulated into novel delivery systems, have demonstrated improved efficacy in targeting tumor cells. Key findings indicate that melittin-based conjugates, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated versions, show potential in enhancing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing toxicity across various cancer models. Similarly, apamin-conjugated formulations have improved the efficacy of established anti-cancer drugs, contributing to enhanced targeting and reduced systemic toxicity. These developments underscore a growing interest in leveraging bee venom-derived peptides as adjuncts in cancer therapy. The integration of these peptides into treatment regimens offers a promising strategy to address current limitations in cancer treatment, such as drug resistance and off-target effects. However, comprehensive validation through clinical trials is essential to confirm their safety and effectiveness in human patients. This review highlights the global emergence of bee venom-derived peptides in cancer treatment, advocating for continued research and development to fully realize their therapeutic potential.
蜂毒衍生肽在癌症治疗中的治疗潜力，特别是蜂毒肽和蜂毒素，作为推进肿瘤学的有前途的途径引起了广泛关注。本系统评价研究了强调这些肽在增强癌症治疗中新兴作用的临床前研究。当与其他治疗剂结合或制成新型递送系统时，蜂毒素和蜂毒肽在靶向肿瘤细胞方面显示出了提高疗效的潜力。关键发现表明，基于蜂毒素的缀合物，如聚乙二醇（PEG）化版本，在各种癌症模型中显示出增强治疗效果和最小化毒性的潜力。同样，与蜂毒肽缀合的制剂提高了现有抗癌药物的疗效，有助于增强靶向性和降低全身毒性。这些进展突显了人们越来越有兴趣将蜂毒衍生肽用作癌症治疗的辅助手段。将这些肽整合到治疗方案中为解决癌症治疗中的当前局限性提供了一个有前途的策略，例如药物耐药性和脱靶效应。然而，通过临床试验进行全面验证对于确认它们在人类患者中的安全性和有效性至关重要。本综述强调了蜂毒衍生肽在癌症治疗中的全球出现，并倡导继续进行研究和开发，以充分实现其治疗潜力。
