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William J. Gradishar, MD, FACP, FASCO
William J. Gradishar, MD, FACP, FASCO
Posted: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Manuka honey, an antimicrobial and antioxidant honey created when honeybees pollinate Manuka tea trees, may prove to be an effective alternative treatment for estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer. According to a preclinical study conducted by Diana C. Márquez-Garbán, MD, of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and colleagues, Manuka honey reduced tumor growth in mice by 84% without apparently affecting normal breast cells. These early results were published in the journal Nutrients.
“The findings provide hope for development of a natural, less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy,” Dr. Márquez-Garbán in a UCLA Health press release. “Although more research is necessary to fully understand the benefits of natural compounds in cancer therapy, this study establishes a strong foundation for further exploration in this area.”
The research team explored varying concentrations of Manuka honey and powder in mice and estrogen receptor–positive cell lines. The study found that Manuka honey and its powder prohibited pathways activated in cancer, resulting in tumor cell proliferation, growth, and metastasis. In addition, it was observed that Manuka honey reduced the proliferation of MCF-7 cells but not nonmalignant human mammary epithelial cells.
In addition to antitumor efficacy, Manuka honey did not appear to affect the growth of normal human mammary cells, suggesting it may target cancer cells specifically, according to the study authors. Furthermore, higher concentrations of Manuka honey led to a greater reduction in cancer growth and enhanced the effectiveness of existing treatments (such as the antiestrogen tamoxifen).
Disclosure: For disclosures of the study authors, visit mdpi.com.
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