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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine
Published on: February 24, 2023
[Immunization against Trypanosoma cruzi and tumor growth in mice]
Abstract:
The evidence has been produced that immunological mechanisms are involved in the known anticancer phenomenon of T. cruzi. Non-inbred albino mice were immunized with avirulent cultures of three strains and seven clones and then transplanted a tumor--sarcoma-180 or Ehrlich's adenocarcinoma. The used cultures induced the generation of T. cruzi antibodies whose level peaked by postimmunization days 50-60: the titers being 1:40-1:80 and the spread among the mice being 60%. Concurrently, immunization against T. cruzi provided a certain oncoprotective effect. In the immunized mice, the sizes of sarcoma-180 and adenocarcinoma were 1.5-2.0 and 2.0-2.5 times, respectively, less than those in the non-immunized ones. The antitumor protection was directly related to the murine blood T. cruzi antibody level during which implantation of a tumor occurred. At the peak of an immune response, the effect was 2 times higher than that in the early postimmunization periods. T. cruzi strains that were more immunogenic than clones ensured a more significant oncoprotection. The latter was more considerable in mice having antibody titers of 1:40-1:80 than in those with antibody titers of 1:10-1:20 and particularly in the animals showing no humoral response to the administration of the parasites at all.
Insights
Immunization with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) generated antibodies, offering significant anticancer protection against sarcoma-180 and adenocarcinoma in mice. Higher antibody levels correlated with greater tumor reduction, demonstrating an oncoprotective effect.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Oncology
Background:
- Immunological mechanisms are implicated in the anticancer effects of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi).
- T. cruzi has demonstrated an oncoprotective phenomenon, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of immunological mechanisms in the anticancer activity of T. cruzi.
- To evaluate the oncoprotective effect of T. cruzi immunization against transplanted tumors in mice.
Main Methods:
- Non-inbred albino mice were immunized with avirulent T. cruzi strains and clones.
- Mice were subsequently transplanted with sarcoma-180 or Ehrlich's adenocarcinoma.
- T. cruzi antibody levels and tumor sizes were measured post-immunization and tumor implantation.
Main Results:
- T. cruzi immunization induced antibody generation, peaking at 50-60 days with titers of 1:40-1:80 in 60% of mice.
- Immunized mice showed reduced tumor sizes: 1.5-2.0 times for sarcoma-180 and 2.0-2.5 times for adenocarcinoma compared to controls.
- Antitumor protection correlated directly with T. cruzi antibody levels, with peak protection observed at the immune response peak.
Conclusions:
- T. cruzi immunization elicits an antibody response that confers significant oncoprotection against specific tumors in mice.
- The degree of antitumor protection is dependent on the T. cruzi antibody titer and the immunogenicity of the parasite strain used.
