Harnessing the sting: Melittin-loaded lipid vesicles as precision nanotherapeutics for Cancer treatment

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for nearly 20 million new cases and 10 million deaths annually. Melittin, the principal bioactive peptide of Apis mellifera venom, has attracted considerable interest due to its potent anticancer properties, including membrane disruption, apoptosis induction, and inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. However, its clinical application is limited by severe hemolytic activity, non-selective cytotoxicity, rapid proteolytic degradation, and a narrow therapeutic window. To address these challenges, lipid vesicle–based nanocarriers such as liposomes, niosomes, and bilosomes have emerged as promising delivery systems. These platforms enhance melittin stability, improve pharmacokinetics, reduce systemic toxicity, and facilitate tumor-targeted delivery. This review summarizes recent advances in melittin-loaded lipid vesicles, highlighting formulation strategies, surface engineering approaches, anticancer mechanisms, and preclinical evidence across various cancers. Lipid vesicle–mediated melittin delivery represents a promising strategy for improving the safety and therapeutic efficacy of peptide-based cancer treatment.