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

• Published in: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Mackson Martins Rocha, Isabela Dariva, Gabriela Comelli Zornoff, Giovanna Sanches De Laurentis, Giulia Carli Mendes, Maycon Giovani Santana, Guilherme Chohfi de Miguel, Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior, Juliana Mozer Sciani, Denise Gonçalves Priolli
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SciELO 2022
• Subjects: Bone metastasis; Melittin; Intratumoral injection; Colorectal neoplasms; Bee venom; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Toxicology. Poisons; RA1190-1270; Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0067; https://doaj.org/article/93ddaeb5da834163bdad2a4f218f16c2

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.