St. Louis, MO – Researchers Targeting Cancer With Bee Venom

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    bee-venom-therapySt. Louis, MO – A bee sting can be painful, but its venomous payload might hold promise for a beneficial purpose—fighting cancer.

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    Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have used an ingredient of bee venom called melittin to shrink or slow the growth of tumors in mice. Melittin’s anti-tumor potential has been known for years, but it hasn’t been used as a drug because it also attacks healthy cells, including vital red blood cells.

    Now the researchers have found a way, using the burgeoning field of nanotechnology, to pinpoint tumors for attack by melittin while largely shielding healthy cells. They do this by attaching the bee-venom ingredient to nanoparticles, which are ultra-tiny, synthetically manufactured spheres. The resultant product, called nanobees, are injected into the blood stream where they circulate until they reach and attack cancerous tumors. The approach also has the potential to avoid some of the toxic side effects seen in older cancer therapies like chemotherapy.

    Read the full story at the Wall Street Journal


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    4 Comments
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    joe shmoe
    joe shmoe
    14 years ago

    Hopefully, however every day we get “promising” “found a way” etc. and they 99% of the time turn out nothing. just someone looking for research investors money. I hope this one turns out to be “working” and “approved” treatment. this chemo is such a killer in itself. H-M Yishmor, v’yerachem

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    ma rabu maasecha Hashem!
    there IS a reason and use for EVERY thing and creature!

    Aryeh
    Aryeh
    14 years ago

    The only kosher food to derive from a non-kosher animal, small wonder that we can find more brochos from the bee!

    Dr. Goodman
    Dr. Goodman
    14 years ago

    I have been using bee venom injections for over 15 years with patients who have inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis and many other diseases that have the ending -itis ( = inflammation).

    It works by actually creating inflammation. The body then fights this new inflammation and, in so doing, gets rid of the prior one.

    I have never had a patient have an adverse reaction. People who are “allergic to bees” are rarely allergic to honey bees. They are rather allergic to yellow jackets, wasps and hornets.

    It is not too popular since the drug companies can’t make any money out of it. How could they patent a natural substance like the venom of the honey bee?

    I have also republished the classic work on the subject, The bible of bee venom therapy. No other publisher would do it since there is no money to be made from it. We sell maybe 50 copies a year.