Shedding light on a mysterious link between Toxoplasma gondii and cancer: A review

Skhawy, Nahla El; Eissa, Maha M.

doi:10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108544

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…These findings suggest that Toxoplasma has great potential to induce the organism to fight against tumors ( Figure 1 ). Certainly, the precise relationship between T. gondii and cancer remains uncertain ( El Skhawy and Eissa, 2023 ). T. gondii , a common parasite capable of infecting the human body and causing harm, has been the subject of conflicting research findings regarding its association with tumor occurrence and development, particularly in brain tumors ( Jung et al., 2022 ).…”

Section: T Gondiimentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel enemy of cancer: recent investigations into protozoan anti-tumor properties

Zheng,

Lu,

Zhou

et al. 2024

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.

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Cancer remains a significant global health issue, despite advances in screening and treatment. While existing tumor treatment protocols such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have proven effective in enhancing the prognosis for some patients, these treatments do not benefit all patients. Consequently, certain types of cancer continue to exhibit a relatively low 5-year survival rate. Therefore, the pursuit of novel tumor intervention strategies may help improve the current effectiveness of tumor treatment. Over the past few decades, numerous species of protozoa and their components have exhibited anti-tumor potential via immune and non-immune mechanisms. This discovery introduces a new research direction for the development of new and effective cancer treatments. Through in vitro experiments and studies involving tumor-bearing mice, the anti-tumor ability of Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi, and other protozoa have unveiled diverse mechanisms by which protozoa combat cancer, demonstrating encouraging prospects for their application. In this review, we summarize the anti-tumor ability and anti-tumor mechanisms of various protozoa and explore the potential for their clinical development and application.

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Section: T Gondiimentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel enemy of cancer: recent investigations into protozoan anti-tumor properties

Zheng,

Lu,

Zhou

et al. 2024

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.

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“…Monocytes, the earliest immune cells that secrete IL‐12 during T. gondii infection, trigger the production of more IL‐12 from DCs and neutrophils. In turn, the IL‐12 enhances the influx of NK and CD8 + T cells and secretion of IFN‐γ in both serum and tumor microenvironment 109 . The secreted IFN‐γ eventually promotes cell‐mediated immunity against tumors by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells and preventing angiogenesis in tumor tissue 110 …”

Section: Breast Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In turn, the IL‐12 enhances the influx of NK and CD8 + T cells and secretion of IFN‐γ in both serum and tumor microenvironment. 109 The secreted IFN‐γ eventually promotes cell‐mediated immunity against tumors by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells and preventing angiogenesis in tumor tissue. 110 …”

Section: Breast Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

A potential cure for tumor‐associated immunosuppression by Toxoplasma gondii

Lotfalizadeh,

Sadr,

Morovati

et al. 2023

Cancer Reports

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BackgroundRecently, immunotherapy has become very hopeful for cancer therapy. Cancer treatment through immunotherapy has excellent specificity and less toxicity than conventional chemoradiotherapy. Pathogens have been used in cancer immunotherapy for a long time. The current study aims to evaluate the possibility of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) as a probable treatment for cancers such as melanoma, breast, ovarian, lung, and pancreatic cancer.Recent findingsNonreplicating type I uracil auxotrophic mutants of T. gondii can stimulate immune responses against tumors by reverse immunosuppression at the cellular level. T. gondii can be utilized to research T helper 1 (Th1) cell immunity in intracellular infections. Avirulent T. gondii uracil auxotroph vaccine can change the tumor's immunosuppression and improve the production of type 1 helper cell cytokines, i.e., Interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and Interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) and activate tumor‐related Cluster of Differentiation 8 (CD8+) T cells to identify and destroy cancer cells. The T. gondii profilin protein, along with T. gondii secreted proteins, have been found to exhibit promising properties in the treatment of various cancers. These proteins are being studied for their potential to inhibit tumor growth and enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies. Their unique mechanisms of action make them valuable candidates for targeted interventions in ovarian cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, and lung cancer treatments.ConclusionIn summary, the study underscores the significant potential of harnessing T. gondii, including its diverse array of proteins and antigens, particularly in its avirulent form, as a groundbreaking approach in cancer immunotherapy.

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Introduction: The Role of Pathogens Associated with Human Cancer and the Concept of Omics–An Overview

Velázquez-Márquez,

Huelgas-Saavedra

2024

Pathogens Associated With the Development of Cancer in Humans

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Shedding light on a mysterious link between Toxoplasma gondii and cancer: A review

Cited by 3 publications

References 69 publications

A novel enemy of cancer: recent investigations into protozoan anti-tumor properties

A novel enemy of cancer: recent investigations into protozoan anti-tumor properties

A potential cure for tumor‐associated immunosuppression by Toxoplasma gondii

Introduction: The Role of Pathogens Associated with Human Cancer and the Concept of Omics–An Overview

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