A new therapeutic approach for bone metastasis in colorectal cancer: intratumoral melittin

Abstract

Background: Melittin has shown antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. Therefore, it comprises a valuable compound for studies on cancer treatment. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have reported melittin effects on bone metastasis. Herein, we propose an approach based on intrametastatic melittin injection to treat bone metastases in colorectal cancer. Methods: Following the characterization of melittin and antiproliferative tests in vitro , a single dose was injected through intrametastatic route into the mouse bone metastasis model. Following treatment, metastasis growth was evaluated. Results: A single dose of melittin was able to inhibit metastasis growth. Histological analysis showed necrosis and inflammatory processes in melittin-treated metastasis. Except by mild weight loss, no other systemic effects were observed. Conclusion: Our data suggest that melittin might be a promising agent for the future development of treatment strategies aiming to reduce the bone metastasis skeletal-related impact in colorectal cancer patients with bone metastasis.

Can Bee Venom Be Used as Anticancer Agent in Modern Medicine?

“…The reduction of VEGF levels in lung cancer in mice under the influence of melittin was also reported by Lee et al [82]. Inhibition of colorectal cancer metastases growth in the mice model under the influence of melittin was observed by Rocha et al [79]. Restoration of histological changes in ovarian and breast cancer rat models together with decreasing of serum MMP-1, reduction of NF-κB, and TNF was described by El-Beltagy et al [80].…”

“…Other inconveniences of systemic treatment could be avoided by using directly intratumoral administration of BV. This method has a low toxicity and a high therapeutic index [79,85]. Also, the loading of BV on polymers or nanoparticles decreases the side effects of systemic treatment (this issue is widely discussed in ref.…”

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“…Therefore, no conclusions can be drawn regarding TCM and PFS in patients with CRC and bone metastases. Quality of life and survival in patients with bone metastases is markedly decreased due to pain, walking difficulties, pathological fractures, and neurological impairment ( Rocha et al, 2022 ). Although TCM cannot reverse bone metastasis, it can have a positive effect on expression levels of markers of inflammation, apoptosis, and remission, thereby relieving pain and improving quality of life ( Shen et al, 2022 ).…”

The current landscape of the antimicrobial peptide melittin and its therapeutic potential

“…No other marked biochemical and hematological toxicity to the mouse bodies were observed ( 75 ). The effects of melittin on the bone metastasis in colorectal cancer were assessed ( 76 ). A single dose of melittin was given to a mouse model of bone metastasis in human colorectal cancer (bearing HT-29 cells).…”