Unveiling the anti-neoplastic potential of Schistosoma mansoni-derived antigen against breast cancer: a pre-clinical study
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Maha Mohamed Eissa1, Sonia Rifaat Ahmed Allam2, Cherine Adel Ismail3
1Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Al-Moassat Medical Campus, Alexandria, Egypt. maha.eissa@alexmed.edu.eg.
Background:
Cancer is a global health concern, with millions of new cases and deaths annually. Recently, immunotherapy has strengthened cancer treatment by harnessing the body's immune system to fight cancer. The search for advanced cancer immunotherapies has expanded to explore pathogens like parasites for their potential anti-neoplastic effects. While some parasites have shown promising results, the role of Schistosoma mansoni in breast cancer remains unexplored.
Methods:
This pre-clinical study investigated the anti-neoplastic potential of autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen against breast cancer. In vitro, autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen was evaluated on the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line, while in vivo experiments used a chemically induced breast cancer rat model to evaluate tumour growth, liver enzyme levels, and immune response. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses assessed changes in tumour tissue, cell proliferation (Ki-67), angiogenesis (CD31), immune cell infiltration (CD8+ T cells), regulatory T cells (FoxP3+), and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression.
Results:
In vitro, autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen significantly reduced MCF-7 cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In vivo, autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen treatment significantly reduced tumour weight and volume, improved liver enzyme levels, increased tumour necrosis, and decreased fibrosis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed decreased Ki-67 and CD31 expression, indicating reduced cell proliferation and angiogenesis, respectively. Autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen also enhanced immune responses by increasing CD8+ T cells infiltration and decreasing FoxP3+ expression, resulting in a higher CD8+ T cells/FoxP3+ ratio within the tumour microenvironment. Notably, PD-L1 expression was also downregulated, suggesting potential immune checkpoint inhibition.
Conclusions:
Autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen demonstrated potent anti-neoplastic activity, significantly reducing tumour growth and modulating the immune response within the tumour microenvironment. These results highlight autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen's potential as a novel immunotherapy for breast cancer.
Insights
Autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen shows promise as a novel breast cancer immunotherapy. This study found it reduced tumour growth and enhanced immune response in preclinical models.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer immunotherapy is a rapidly advancing field.
- Parasitic antigens are being explored for anti-neoplastic effects.
- The potential of Schistosoma mansoni in breast cancer immunotherapy is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-neoplastic potential of autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen against breast cancer.
- To evaluate its efficacy in vitro and in vivo.
- To assess its impact on tumour growth, immune response, and related biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- In vitro study using MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.
- In vivo study using a chemically induced breast cancer rat model.
- Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of tumour tissues, cell proliferation (Ki-67), angiogenesis (CD31), immune cell infiltration (CD8+ T cells, FoxP3+), and PD-L1 expression.
Main Results:
- Autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen reduced cancer cell viability in vitro.
- In vivo, it decreased tumour weight/volume, improved liver enzymes, and reduced fibrosis.
- It enhanced anti-tumour immunity by increasing CD8+ T cells, decreasing regulatory T cells (FoxP3+), and downregulating PD-L1 expression.
Conclusions:
- Autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen exhibits significant anti-neoplastic activity.
- It effectively modulates the tumour microenvironment and enhances immune response.
- This antigen holds potential as a novel immunotherapy for breast cancer.
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