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Parasites as negative regulators of cancer
Blanca E Callejas1, Diana Martínez-Saucedo1, Luis I Terrazas2,3
1Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, 54090, México.
Abstract:
Several environmental factors (chemical, physical, and biological) can cause the initiation, promotion, and progression of cancer. Regarding the biological factors, several studies have found that infections caused by some bacteria, viruses and protozoan, and helminth parasites are related to carcinogenesis. However, in recent years a different approach has been implemented on the antitumor impact of parasitic diseases caused by some protozoan and helminths, mainly because such infections may affect several hallmarks of cancer, but the involved mechanisms still remain unknown. The beneficial effects reported for some parasitic diseases on tumorigenesis range from the induction of apoptosis, activation of the immune response, avoiding metastasis and angiogenesis, inhibition of proliferative signals, to the regulation of inflammatory responses that promote cancer. In this work, we reviewed the available information regarding how parasitic infections may modulate cancer progression. Despite the fact that specific mechanisms of action on tumors are not yet totally clear, we consider that detailed studies of the antitumor action of these organisms and their products could lead to the discovery and use of new molecules from these biological agents that may work as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of various types of cancer.
Insights
Parasitic infections, particularly those caused by protozoa and helminths, show potential antitumor effects. Further research into these parasitic diseases could yield novel adjuvant cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Parasitology
- Immunology
Background:
- Environmental factors, including biological agents like parasites, are implicated in cancer development.
- Recent research explores the potential antitumor effects of parasitic infections, challenging traditional views.
- Parasitic diseases may influence key cancer hallmarks, but mechanisms are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing information on how parasitic infections modulate cancer progression.
- To highlight the potential of parasites in cancer treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on parasitic infections and cancer.
- Analysis of reported beneficial effects of parasitic diseases on tumorigenesis.
Main Results:
- Parasitic infections can induce apoptosis, boost immune response, inhibit metastasis and angiogenesis, and regulate inflammation.
- Reported effects include inhibition of proliferative signals and regulation of cancer-promoting inflammatory responses.
Conclusions:
- Parasitic infections offer a novel approach to cancer therapy, potentially acting as an adjuvant treatment.
- Further investigation into antitumor mechanisms of parasites and their products may lead to new cancer-fighting molecules.
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