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Parasites as potential targets for cancer immunotherapy

Morteza Yousefi1, Mohammadesmail Akbari2, Mahboubeh Hadipour3

  • 1Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
|March 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Parasites exhibit significant anti-cancer effects, potentially through direct impact or immune responses to shared antigens. Future cancer therapies may leverage parasites or their antigens for treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology and Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Parasites and cancer share common antigens.
  • Evidence suggests parasites possess anti-cancer properties.
  • Research has focused on specific parasites like Echinococcus granulosus and Toxoplasma gondii.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the anti-cancer effects of parasites.
  • To explore the mechanisms behind these anti-tumor effects.
  • To discuss the future potential of parasite-based cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific evidence.
  • Analysis of in vitro, animal model, and human population studies.
  • Examination of research on specific parasite species.

Main Results:

  • Parasites demonstrate significant anti-cancer effects.
  • Mechanisms include direct parasite impact and immune responses to shared antigens.
  • Several parasite species are under investigation for anti-cancer properties.

Conclusions:

  • Parasites offer a promising avenue for cancer treatment.
  • Further research into parasite-host interactions is warranted.
  • Utilizing parasites or their antigens could lead to novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
CancerCancer immunotherapyParasites

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