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Molecular mimicry between parasites and cancer: a novel approach for developing cancer vaccines and therapeutic

Maha Mohamed Eissa1, Sonia Rifaat Ahmed Allam1, Cherine Adel Ismail2

  • 1Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Al-Moassat Medical Campus, Alexandria, Egypt.

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy : CII
|May 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This study explored molecular mimicry between parasites and cancer cells, finding shared antigens between Trichinella spiralis and Schistosoma mansoni with breast and lung cancer cells. This discovery could lead to new parasite-derived cancer immunotherapies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Parasitology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Conventional cancer treatments have limitations and side effects.
  • Cancer immunotherapy and targeted therapies are emerging as promising alternatives.
  • Parasite-based cancer therapy, particularly leveraging molecular mimicry, shows potential for novel anti-cancer strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate shared antigenic proteins between specific parasites (Trichinella spiralis, Schistosoma mansoni, Toxoplasma gondii) and human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, A549).
  • To explore the molecular mimicry theory as a basis for parasite-mediated anti-cancer effects.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of polyclonal antisera against T. spiralis, S. mansoni, and T. gondii in rabbits.
  • Detection of antibody reactivity with cancer cell extracts using SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting.
  • Analysis of cross-reactivity to identify shared antigens between parasites and cancer cells.

Main Results:

  • Cross-reactive bands were observed between T. spiralis antibodies and both MCF-7 and A549 cancer cell extracts (approx. 70 and 35 kDa).
  • Cross-reactivity was also found between S. mansoni antibodies and cancer cell extracts (approx. 80 kDa).
  • T. gondii antibodies did not show reactivity with the tested cancer cell lines.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides evidence for molecular mimicry between T. spiralis and S. mansoni parasites and human breast and lung cancer cells.
  • These findings lay the groundwork for further research into parasite-cancer antigen interactions.
  • Identification of these cross-reactive antigens could pave the way for developing novel cancer vaccines and therapeutic antibodies derived from parasites.
Keywords:
CancerCancer therapyMolecular mimicryParasites

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