A recent study has discovered that Manuka honey could serve as a natural alternative for both the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, especially in cases of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, which is the most prevalent type, accounting for roughly 70-80% of all cases.
A recent investigation led by researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has revealed that Manuka honey may offer a natural alternative for breast cancer prevention and treatment—especially for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, which is the most common type, representing around 70-80% of all breast cancer cases.
In preclinical studies, researchers observed the following:
- Manuka honey substantially diminished tumor growth in mice with ER-positive breast cancer cells by 84%, without harming normal breast cells or causing significant side effects.
- Increased concentrations of Manuka honey resulted in a more significant decrease in cancer cell growth.
- Manuka honey lowered the levels of specific signaling pathways that are heightened in cancer, such as AMPK/AKT/mTOR and STAT3, which play a role in the growth and survival of tumor cells.
- Manuka honey inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells while leaving normal human mammary epithelial cells unaffected, suggesting it may specifically target cancer cells.
- Manuka honey triggered apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in breast cancer cells.
- Manuka honey improved the effectiveness of existing treatments like tamoxifen, a widely-used antiestrogen medication for ER-positive breast cancer, when used in combination.
There is a pressing need for alternative therapies to help prevent endocrine resistance and enhance long-term survival rates for breast cancer. Endocrine resistance is a significant cause of breast cancer being the leading cancer-related death among women globally. New studies indicate that Manuka honey, well-known for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, is also packed with compounds such as flavonoids, phytochemicals, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. These components show anticancer capabilities at the molecular level by inhibiting pathways that lead to tumor cell proliferation, growth, and spread. Researchers believe that one way Manuka honey works is by blocking estrogen receptors, making it a potential nutraceutical option for hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
To explore the potential of Manuka honey as a natural breast cancer treatment, the research team carried out a series of experiments in mice and in ER-positive MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, which are two of the most frequently occurring types of breast cancer. In these experiments, the oral intake of Manuka honey led to a notable reduction in tumor growth when compared to control groups. This considerable suppression of tumor progression reinforces the honey’s possible utility in cancer prevention or treatment.
The results imply that Manuka honey might be developed into a natural supplement or even serve as a standalone treatment for ER-positive breast cancer, especially for patients facing resistance to conventional therapies.
“The findings offer hope for the creation of a natural, less toxic replacement for traditional chemotherapy,” stated Dr. Diana Marquez-Garban, an associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the lead author of the study. “While further research is essential to completely understand the advantages of natural compounds in cancer treatment, this study lays a robust groundwork for future investigation in this field.”
