El abordaje integral del cáncer supone hoy por hoy, un reto para los pacientes, sus familias, los equipos de salud y la sociedad. En la mayoría de los países del mundo el cáncer es la primera o segunda causa de muerte prematura sólo superada por la enfermedad cardiovascular (1). A pesar de los esfuerzos en la detección oportuna e investigación de nuevos tratamientos para los distintos tipos de cáncer aún son muchos los retos para lograr su curación (2), por esto mismo la búsqueda de herramientas terapéuticas dirigidas a la curación, remisión, control y alcanzar una mejor calidad de vida en pacientes que padecen la enfermedad esta plenamente justificada. Los diferentes productos de la colmena como la miel, veneno de abejas, polen, propóleos y jalea real han mostrado tener propiedades útiles para la prevención y tratamiento del cáncer en sus diferentes grados (3). Es precisamente sobre los mecanismos de acción de estos productos que se hablará en este artículo.
Son más de 100 los artículos de investigación que se han realizado y que directamente exploran los mecanismos de acción de los productos de la colmena en el cáncer. Buena parte de ellos se concentran en sus efectos en el cáncer de seno, próstata, colon, hígado y pulmón, todos ellos de alta carga en la población. A continuación un resumen de los principales mecanismos de acción del veneno de abejas, miel y propóleo, útiles en el tratamiento del cáncer.
Veneno de abejas
Miel de abejas
Propóleo
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