Trichinella spiralis as a Potential Antitumor Agent: An Update

Abstract

Due to the limited success of therapeutic strategies in treating tumors, a new practical potent approach is needed. This review aimed to investigate previous literature related to tumors and Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis). In recent years, there has been growing interest in utilizing biological, viral, bacterial, yeast, and parasitic agents to cure cancers. According to several studies, some parasites could interferee with the tumors’ growth. There has been much discussion about some parasites’ applications to cure tumors in animals and humans. In studies, T. spiralis was found to have antitumor properties. The active proteins in T. spiralis, such as Caveolin-1, Heat shock proteins, and Ribosomal proteins, are thought to inhibit the growth of cancers, such as melanoma, myeloma, sarcoma, leukemia, stomach cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. In addition, these proteins are thought to induce apoptosis in specific neoplastic cells. Accordingly, antigens derived from parasites may be helpful in cancer immunotherapy. However, there are still many unanswered questions regarding Trichinella spiralis’ potential use as a biotherapy agent against cancer. Future studies should focus on the purification of parasite antigens and their use for wider-scale trials in animal models.