Bee venom: Yesterday's enemy becomes modern medicine for skin cancer

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is one of the most lethal human malignancies, particularly when it spreads from its initial site in the skin to distant locations with few therapeutic options. While a range of treatment approaches exist, such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, they typically fail to treat skin cancer, particularly in its late stages. The complex cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive melanoma growth and metastatic dissemination are both varied and complicated, posing significant challenges to the development of effective treatment approaches. As the incidence and burden of this malignancy increase, there is an urgent need for innovative therapeutic techniques. Therefore, it is vital to research alternate therapy options. Several research undertaken in recent years have found that bee venom influences a variety of cancers. The more research into using bee venom to cure skin cancer, the less attention it receives. In this context, the purpose of this proposal is to review a comprehensive assessment of the clinical impact of bee venom against skin cancer, as well as to highlight challenges and excitement down the road.