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  • Bee Venom: A Potentially Promising Approach for Breast Cancer Therapy

    Bee Venom: A Potentially Promising Approach for Breast Cancer Therapy

    Image credits: Pixabay

    Studies suggest that melittin, a substance found in bee venom, could potentially kill aggressive breast cancer cells.

    Recent studies indicate that bee venom could play a role in combating breast cancer.

    Researchers are particularly interested in melittin, the primary component of Apis mellifera venom, which has demonstrated encouraging effects against aggressive forms of breast cancer, notably triple-negative and HER2-positive types.

    How Does Melittin Exert its Effects?

    Researchers at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Australia report that melittin can eliminate up to 100% of tumor cells within 60 minutes while causing minimal harm to healthy cells.

    In this way, the compound acts by inhibiting receptors involved in tumor growth, like EGFR and HER2, thereby halting the proliferation of cancer cells.

    Lab-made versions of the substance produced nearly identical effects, further supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent.

    New Progress

    In 2025, scientists at the same institute unveiled an injectable version of melittin. Newsweek reported that in preclinical trials, this approach destroyed tumor cells within six hours and sustained its effects for a week.

    Moreover, when applied directly to tumors, it selectively attacked cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue intact.

    Nevertheless, experts caution that extensive research over several years is still required before the therapy can be tested in humans.

    Expected Gains and Hazards

    Laboratory studies have suggested several potential benefits, including:

    • Quick elimination of cancer cells
    • Minimal harm to healthy cells
    • Possible enhancement of chemotherapy effectiveness
    • Lower risk of cancer spreading

    However, these findings remain preclinical.

    Accordingly, UCLA Health cautions that melittin can be highly toxic and that apitherapy—the use of bee venom as an alternative treatment—lacks scientific support and may trigger serious reactions, including anaphylactic shock.

    What are The Potential Developments Ahead?

    Research on melittin as a potential breast cancer treatment is ongoing, with the current focus on finding safe and effective ways to administer it.

    However, experts stress that, for now, bee venom should not be used as a substitute for standard therapies.

    Read the original article on: Versatilis

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  • Combination Therapy Trial Nearly Doubles Breast Cancer Cure Rates

    Combination Therapy Trial Nearly Doubles Breast Cancer Cure Rates

    A phase 3 clinical trial found that adding nivolumab, a targeted immunotherapy drug, to chemotherapy nearly doubled cure rates for patients with the most common type of breast cancer, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/HER2-negative (HER2–). This finding signals a potential shift in treatment strategies.
    Adding an immunotherapy drug to chemotherapy made breast cancer treatment more effective
    Original image by Depositphotos

    A phase 3 clinical trial found that adding nivolumab, a targeted immunotherapy drug, to chemotherapy nearly doubled cure rates for patients with the most common type of breast cancer, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/HER2-negative (HER2–). This finding signals a potential shift in treatment strategies.

    Building on the success of combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, researchers from Australia’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Center demonstrated its effectiveness for ER+/HER2– breast cancer, which accounts for 70% of the 2.3 million breast cancer cases diagnosed globally in 2020.

    These cancers respond to estrogen, promoting tumor growth, and current treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, or hormone therapy, sometimes paired with targeted drugs.

    The CheckMate 7FL trial explored whether nivolumab could improve outcomes for early-stage, high-risk ER+/HER2– patients. Nivolumab blocks the PD-1 receptor on immune T cells, preventing cancer cells from evading detection and enabling T cells to destroy tumors.

    Enhanced Response Rates with Nivolumab

    The concept of an injected immunotherapy drug making cancer cells visible and open to attack by T cells
    Depositphotos

    Nivolumab Nearly Doubles Pathological Complete Response Rates Compared to Placebo

    In the trial, 510 patients received chemotherapy with either nivolumab or a placebo. Nivolumab-treated patients achieved a pathological complete response (pCR) rate of 24.5%, nearly double the 13.8% seen in the placebo group. Among PD-L1 biomarker-positive patients, pCR rates rose to 44% versus 20% with placebo.

    “These patients are likely cured, as no cancer cells were detected in their breast or lymph nodes post-treatment,” said Professor Sherene Loi, the study lead. Longer follow-up will reveal if improved pCR rates translate to better event-free survival (EFS).

    While promising, nivolumab raised safety concerns. Side effects like hair loss, nausea, anemia, and fatigue were common, with serious adverse events, including five deaths, reported in the nivolumab group.

    Despite these issues, researchers remain optimistic, calling the findings a milestone in neoadjuvant treatment for ER+/HER2– breast cancer.

    Read Original Article: New Atlas

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  • AI Assists Doctors in Identifying More Cases of Breast Cancer in the Largest Real-World Study

    AI Assists Doctors in Identifying More Cases of Breast Cancer in the Largest Real-World Study

    Researchers reported on January 7 in Nature Medicine that AI-assisted mammogram analysis helped doctors detect one additional cancer case for every 1,000 women screened compared to when the technology wasn’t used. This finding comes from the largest real-world study on AI’s role in breast cancer screening, which involved nearly 500,000 women in Germany. The results suggest that AI could enhance the screening process without increasing the number of false positives.
    AI rivals doctors’ ability to interpret mammograms, a real-world study with nearly 500,000 participants in Germany suggests. Credit: Depositphotos

    Researchers reported on January 7 in Nature Medicine that AI-assisted mammogram analysis helped doctors detect one additional cancer case for every 1,000 women screened compared to when the technology wasn’t used. This finding comes from the largest real-world study on AI’s role in breast cancer screening, which involved nearly 500,000 women in Germany. The results suggest that AI could enhance the screening process without increasing the number of false positives.

    “AI in mammography screening is at least as effective as a human reader, and our study shows it’s even better,” said cancer epidemiologist Alexander Katalinic from the University of Lübeck in Germany.

    Germany’s Dual Radiologist Mammogram Review Process

    Germany’s breast cancer screening program mandates that two radiologists independently review each patient’s mammograms to identify spots, abnormal masses, and other irregularities. (In the U.S., most clinics typically use just one physician.) If at least one radiologist suspects cancer based on the four X-ray images, which are compared to the patient’s previous screenings, a third radiologist is brought in to determine if further tests are needed.

    “We have 3 million women participating in this program each year, and 24 million images need to be reviewed annually,” says Katalinic. “That’s a substantial workload for the radiologists.”

    In the new software, an AI-supported image viewer triggers a “safety net” alert if a radiologist deems a patient’s mammograms as cancer-free but the AI software suspects otherwise. The white square shows the suspicious region.

    AI-Assisted Mammogram Review

    To determine if AI could ease the workload, decision referral software was introduced at 12 screening sites nationwide. Over 460,000 women aged 50 to 69 participated in the study from July 2021 to February 2023. The AI software categorized the mammograms as normal, suspicious, or unclassified. The 119 participating radiologists opted to use an AI-assisted image viewer, which displayed the software’s assessments, for about half of the screenings.

    Without AI, clinicians identified roughly six confirmed breast cancer cases per 1,000 patients during screening. With AI’s help, they detected around seven cases, resulting in a 17.6 percent higher detection rate. The group screened with AI had slightly fewer false positives compared to those receiving traditional screenings, where cancer is suspected but ruled out with further tests.

    Although the ideal way to integrate AI into radiologists’ workflows is still unclear, Stefan Bunk, CTO and cofounder of Vara, the Berlin-based healthcare tech company behind the AI, suggests that it could replace one of the initial readers. “This is a conversation that should now begin,” he says.

    Read the original article on: Science News

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  • Preliminary Studies Suggest Manuka Honey Reduces Breast Cancer Cell Growth by 84%

    Preliminary Studies Suggest Manuka Honey Reduces Breast Cancer Cell Growth by 84%

    Preliminary studies indicate that Manuka honey can decrease breast cancer cell growth by 84% while sparing healthy cells and causing minimal side effects. This suggests potential for developing a natural, non-toxic cancer treatment, either as a supplement or a standalone therapy.
    Manuka honey, produced from nectar from the mānuka tree, has potent anticancer properties
    Depositphotos

    Preliminary studies indicate that Manuka honey can decrease breast cancer cell growth by 84% while sparing healthy cells and causing minimal side effects. This suggests potential for developing a natural, non-toxic cancer treatment, either as a supplement or a standalone therapy.

    Nutraceuticals—essentially a blend of “nutrition” and “pharmaceuticals” that can sound like marketing jargon—are products that offer both nutritional benefits and health-enhancing properties. Examples include ginseng, green tea, Echinacea, omega-3, and Manuka honey. The latter is made from nectar collected by honey bees from the mānuka tree, a plant native to New Zealand and southeast Australia.

    Manuka Honey’s Unique Properties and Its Potential Role in Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment

    Manuka honey has shown antibacterial, antioxidant, and healing properties, likely due to its unique composition compared to other honeys. Preliminary research from UCLA suggests that this nutraceutical may assist in breast cancer prevention and treatment.

    Dr. Diana Márquez-Garbán, associate professor of medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the study’s lead author, noted, “The findings offer promise for developing a natural, less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy. While further research is needed to fully explore the benefits of natural compounds in cancer therapy, this study provides a solid foundation for future investigations.“

    In cases of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer—affecting about 60% to 70% of patients—the cancer cells use estrogen to fuel their growth. Although anti-estrogen therapy usually hinders tumor growth, some patients develop resistance, leaving chemotherapy as a last resort.

    Manuka Honey Significantly Inhibits ER-Positive Breast Cancer Cell Growth and Enhances Effects of Tamoxifen

    In laboratory experiments, researchers grew ER-positive and triple-negative breast cancer cells. They found that Manuka honey and its dehydrated powder significantly inhibited the proliferation of ER-positive cells in a dose-dependent manner compared to controls.

    The effect on triple-negative cells was less pronounced. Combining Manuka honey with tamoxifen, a common anti-estrogen drug, greatly reduced ER-positive cell proliferation more effectively than either treatment alone.

    Further analysis revealed that Manuka honey reduced blood estrogen levels and estrogen receptors in tumors, and promoted apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells, disrupting cancer progression.

    Manuka Honey Significantly Reduces Tumor Growth in Mice with ER-Positive Breast Cancer

    The researchers then tested Manuka honey in animal models. Mice implanted with human ER-positive breast cancer cells and subsequently developed tumors were given Manuka honey orally. The mice treated with honey exhibited a significant reduction in tumor growth—by 84%—compared to the control group, without harming healthy cells.

    The researchers concluded that natural compounds like Manuka honey, which show strong antitumor activity and target hormone receptor-positive breast cancers selectively, could be developed as a supplement or a potential alternative to traditional cytotoxic cancer drugs, which often have more widespread adverse effects.

    Read the original article on: New Atlas

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  • Scientists Discover Breast Cancer Protein that Could Anticipate Chemotherapy Sensitivity

    Scientists Discover Breast Cancer Protein that Could Anticipate Chemotherapy Sensitivity

    Three-dimensional culture of human breast cancer cells, with DNA stained blue and a protein in the cell surface membrane stained green. Credit: NCI Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health

    Scientists have determined a protein that, when present in significant quantities in breast cancer tumors, is a signal of whether DNA-damaging treatments will function or not.

    The lead writer of the investigation, HMRI, and also College of Newcastle Ph.D. scientist Luiza Steffens-Reinhardt, stated this project could lead to more effective chemotherapy for individuals with breast cancer.

    “We took a look at this special variation of a protein named p53 because our prior investigations have demonstrated that it is present at elevated degrees in breast cancer and is associated with cancer cells reoccurrence,” she stated.

    The discovery obtained in the course of the research

    “We were amazed to observe that by enhancing the levels of this variation of p53, the breast cancer cells came to be unresponsive to existing treatments. Thus, preventing this variation could improve people’s reactions to currently utilized cancer therapies. We just lately demonstrated these findings in living subjects.”

    Breast cancer impacts more than 19,000 ladies annually in Australia, and around one-quarter of these people create therapy resistance.

    “The main factor women pass away from breast cancer is therapy resistance,” stated Ms. Steffens-Reinhardt.

    “A breast cancer that is immune to therapy is unthinkable to treat. Consequently, an urgent requirement is to enhance treatments that target the cells responsible for resisting these treatments.”

    Researcher’s claims on breast cancer therapy study

    Experienced Lecturer Kelly Avery-Kiejda that monitors Steffens-Reinhardt on her investigation claims, this study could be a primary step in better targeting breast cancer therapy.

    “One in eight ladies in Australia produce breast cancer, and while there is a nine-two percent survival rate, this does not take into consideration additional cancers or metastasis, which are practically incurable,” stated Associate Lecturer Avery-Kiejda.

    “If we can determine biomarkers that anticipate exactly how well a patient will react to particular treatments, we can after that target the offered therapies more effectively.”

    The discoveries were posted in a paper entitled ‘Modifications in the p53 isoform ratio control breast cancer cell fate in response to DNA damages’ in the Cell Death & Illness journal.

    This article is the conclusion of investigative project that Associate Lecturer Avery-Kiejda started in 2009.

    This research improves the foundation study that was carried out with the generous assistance of the Cancer Institution NSW and also the Estate of the late Joy Heather Granger.

    Read more on Medical Xpress

  • Scientist Advises Caution When Using AI in Mammography

    Scientist Advises Caution When Using AI in Mammography

    breast cancer

    AI making mistakes

    Examining breast-cancer tumors with artificial intelligence can enhance healthcare efficiency and results. However, specialists must proceed carefully, considering that identical technological jumps previously caused greater false-positive tests rates and over-treatment.

    That is according to a new article in JAMA Health Forum co-written by Joann G. Elmore, MD, MPH, a scientist at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Endowed Chair in Healthcare Delivery, and professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

    The JAMA Health Forum editorial stated that without a more robust strategy for the assessment and application of AI, provided the unabated acceptance of emerging systems in clinical practice. The sector is still struggling to learn from previous errors in mammography. The item, published online, was co-written with Christoph I. Lee, MD, MS, MBA, a professor of radiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

    Overconfidence in technology

    According to the authors, among those previous errors in mammography were adjunct computer-aided detection (CAD) devices, which proliferated in popularity in the field of breast cancer testing beginning more than twenty years earlier. The FDA validated CAD in 1998, and by 2016 beyond 92% of United States imaging centers were using the systems to interpret mammograms and fish for tumors. However, the proof revealed CAD did not enhance mammography precision. The authors wrote that CAD tools are associated with a rise in false-positive rates, resulting in over-diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ and unneeded analysis screening. Medicare stopped covering CAD in 2018, however at that time, the tools had reached greater than $400 million a year in unnecessary health expenses.

    Elmore and Lee published that the early adoption of CAD is a premonitory sign of the wholehearted embrace of emerging systems before thoroughly comprehending their impact on patient results.

    The specialists recommend numerous safeguards to prevent repeating previous errors, including tying Medicare compensation to enhance patient results and not just enhance technical performance in artificial settings.

    Originally published by: medicalxpress.com