JVATiTD - Articles
Official publication of CEVAP/UNESP
A new therapeutic approach for bone metastasis in colorectal cancer: intratumoral melittin
Mackson Martins Rocha1, Isabela Dariva2, Gabriela Comelli Zornoff2, Giovanna Sanches De Laurentis2, Giulia Carli Mendes2, Maycon Giovani Santana3, Guilherme Chohfi de Miguel2, Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior4, Juliana Mozer Sciani1, Denise Gonçalves Priolli1 [ + show more ]
Received: 03 June 2021 | Accepted: 16 August 2021 | Published online: 14 March 2022
https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-JVATITD-2021-0067
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.
Keywords: Bone metastasis; Melittin; Intratumoral injection; Colorectal neoplasms; Bee venom.