Bee Venom to Target Cancer Cells

medschool.wustl.eduNew research revealed that a peptide derived from bee venom could deliver liposomes bearing drugs or diagnostic dyes to specific cells or tissues.

A toxic protein in bee venom, when altered, has been shown to improve significantly the effectiveness liposome-encapsulated drugs or dyes, such as those already used to treat or diagnose cancer. This research, described in the August 2010 print issue of the FASEB [Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology] Journal, demonstrated how modified melittin might transform treatments for cancer and possibly other conditions, such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and serious infections.

"This type of transporter agent may help in the design and use of more personalized treatment regimens that can be selectively targeted to tumors and other diseases,” said Samuel A. Wickline, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Consortium for Translational Research in Advanced Imaging and Nanomedicine (C-TRAIN) at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (MO, USA).

To make this finding, Dr. Wickline and colleagues designed and evaluated variations of the melittin protein to derive a stable compound that could be inserted into liposomal nanoparticles and into living cells without changing or harming them. They then tested the ability of this protein, or "transporter agent,” to attach to different therapeutic compounds and enhance drug therapy without causing destructive side effects. Moreover, their findings suggest that the base compound that is used to create the transporter agent may improve tumor therapy as well.

"Our journal is abuzz in a hive of bee-related discoveries. Just last month [July 2010], we published research showing for the first time how honey kills bacteria. This month [August 2010], the Wickline study shows how bee venom peptides can form ‘smart bombs' that deliver liposomal nanoparticles directly to their target, without collateral damage,” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., editor-in-chief of the FASEB Journal.

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Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis