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Echinococcus granulosus: Cure for Cancer Revisited

Shiwanthi L Ranasinghe1, Donald P McManus1

  • 1Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Frontiers in Medicine
|March 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

The canine tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus may offer anticancer benefits. Molecules secreted by this parasite show potential for developing future cancer therapeutics by inhibiting tumor cell growth and migration.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology and Oncology
  • Immunology and Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Parasites are known cancer risk factors, but their potential anticancer effects are understudied.
  • Echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, has conflicting associations with cancer risk.
  • Limited data exists on parasitic organisms inducing anticancer effects in mammalian hosts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the indirect and direct anticancer effects of Echinococcus granulosus.
  • To explore the potential of E. granulosus-derived molecules as anticancer therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on Echinococcus granulosus and cancer.
  • Analysis of adaptive immunity generated against echinococcal antigens.
  • Investigation of direct effects of E. granulosus molecules on cancer cell behavior.

Main Results:

  • Echinococcal antigens may elicit indirect anticancer effects via adaptive immunity.
  • Molecules secreted by E. granulosus directly inhibit cancer cell migration and growth.
  • Evidence suggests a dual role of echinococcosis in cancer risk modulation.

Conclusions:

  • Echinococcus granulosus likely secretes bioactive molecules with anticancer properties.
  • These molecules hold promise for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics.
  • Further research is warranted to isolate and characterize these therapeutic compounds.
Keywords:
Echinococcus antigensEchinococcus granulosusKunitz type protease inhibitorantibody-mediated responsecancer therapy

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