Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40243485›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of molecular sciences2025

Synergistic Anti-Cancer Activity of Melittin and Erlotinib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Hairulislam M Ibrahim, Jihad Alessa, Hala Badr Khalil, Gamal A Bekhet, Ashraf Khalifa

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of molecular sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Therapeutic Bioactivity Exerted by theMolecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Article
  3. Review
  4. 2-Amino-3-Chlorobenzoic Acid fromPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Hairulislam M IbrahimBiological Science Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Jihad AlessaBiological Science Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Hala Badr KhalilBiological Science Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Gamal A BekhetBiological Science Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Ashraf KhalifaBiological Science Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0003-4272-929X

Funding

Deanship of scientific research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia for funding this research work through the project number (GRANT4547).). GRANT4547).)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in current therapies, the development of drug resistance and the need for improved treatment outcomes necessitate the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic anti-cancer effects of Melittin, a bee venom peptide, in combination with Erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study evaluated the combined effects of Melittin and Erlotinib on A549 NSCLC cells. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were assessed using standard in vitro assays. Mechanistic studies investigated the impact of the combination treatment on key signaling pathways, including those involving JAK2 and JAK3. Molecular docking simulations were performed to predict the binding interactions between Melittin and these kinases. The combination of Melittin and Erlotinib significantly inhibited A549 cell proliferation and migration, with a marked reduction in cell viability and enhanced apoptosis compared to either agent alone. Mechanistically, Melittin demonstrated interactions with JAK2 and JAK3, key proteins involved in apoptotic signaling. Molecular docking simulations further supported these findings, predicting strong binding affinities between Melittin and both kinases. These findings demonstrate a synergistic anti-cancer effect of Melittin and Erlotinib in A549 NSCLC cells. The observed interactions with JAK2 and JAK3 suggest a potential mechanism for Melittin's activity. These results highlight the potential of Melittin as a promising adjuvant to Erlotinib for the treatment of NSCLC.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsCarcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungErlotinib HydrochlorideLung NeoplasmsMelittenA549 CellsApoptosisCell Line, TumorCell MovementCell ProliferationCell SurvivalDrug SynergismHumansJanus Kinase 2Janus Kinase 3Molecular Docking SimulationAntineoplastic AgentsErlotinib HydrochlorideJAK2 protein, humanJAK3 protein, humanJanus Kinase 2Janus Kinase 3MelittenErlotinibJAK2/JAK3 signalinglung cancerMelittinsynergistic anti-cancer effects

Identifiers

PMID40243485
PMCPMC11989111

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.