A principal component of bee venom from stings – melittin – has been found to be a weapon in the fight against cancer.

In concentrated doses, melittin exhibits powerful anti-microbial activity. Scientists have been able to attach both melittin and guiding chemicals to nanobots (microscopic man-made particles) so that they seek out cancer cells and target them with the melittin.

The melittin is taken into the cancer cells where it wreaks havoc with their internal structure. The type of damage caused is difficult for the cancer to resist.

An initial study showed skin cancer reducing by 75% and breast cancer by 25%.

More animal studies are need before human studies are begun; but this is a promising avenue of research for counteracting cancer.