Title:Trichinella spiralis and Tumors: Cause, Coincidence or Treatment?
Volume: 18
Issue: 8
Author(s): Chengshui Liao*, Xiangchao Cheng, Mingyuan Liu*, Xuelin Wang and Pascal Boireau
Affiliation:
- Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun,China
- Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun,China
Keywords:
Trichinella spiralis, tumors, antitumor, tumorigenic, nurse cells, parasite.
Abstract: Background: Conventional therapeutic strategies for tumors have had limited success, and innovative
and more effective approaches to treatment are urgently required. The ancient idea that various biological, bacterial,
yeast, viral, and parasitic agents can be used as cancer therapeutics has gradually attracted considerable
interest. Certain parasites have been widely discussed in association with human and animal tumors. The purpose
of this review was to examine previous literatures which investigates the relations between Trichinella
spiralis (T. spiralis) and tumors.
Methods: Using PubMed, articles published before 2018 in the whole world have been searched and comprehensively
reviewed.
Results: Many researches have provided proofs that T. spiralis possesses antitumor activities. The antitumor
effect of T. spiralis was first described in the 1970s. However, its research has been inconsistent, and little progress
has been made in this field. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying these inhibitory effects are still unclear,
and convincing evidence of the links between T. spiralis and the prevention or treatment of tumors from clinical
trials is absent. Meanwhile, some other researches also suggested that T. spiralis may cause or contribute to
coinfection with a tumors.
Conclusion: The review has highlighted the scientific literature focussing on evidence for T. spiralis to act as a
pro- or antitumorigenic agent is summarized and discussed, in hope of contributing to a better understanding of
the relations between T. spiralis and tumors.
