Potential therapeutic targets shared between leishmaniasis and cancer

Area of Science:

• Molecular biology
• Parasitology
• Oncology

Background:

• Recent research highlights the association between leishmaniasis and malignancies in humans and animals.
• Misdiagnosis and the use of common drugs for co-existing leishmaniasis and cancer necessitate further investigation into their shared molecular biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and investigate key proteins expressed in both Leishmania parasites and cancer cells.
• To explore the regulation and functions of these shared proteins.
• To identify potential common therapeutic targets for leishmaniasis and cancer.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of proteins expressed in Leishmania parasites and cancer cells.
• Analysis of protein regulation (up- and down-regulation).
• Investigation of protein functions related to survival, development, pathogenicity, metabolism, and signaling.

Main Results:

• Identified shared proteins between Leishmania parasites and cancer cells.
• Observed that protein up- and down-regulations are linked to survival, development, pathogenicity, metabolic pathways, and vital signaling in both.
• Highlighted the scarcity of information on common expressed proteins.

Conclusions:

• The presence of common proteins suggests shared pathogenicity mechanisms between leishmaniasis and cancer.
• These findings offer valuable insights for future therapeutic targeting strategies for both diseases.