Effect of Alive Protoscoleces of Hydatid Cyst on the Growth of Melanoma Cells in Mouse Model



Badrichookami M^{1, 4} ; Sharafi SM² ; Rafeie R³ ; Bahadoran M^{1, 4} ; Pestechian N^{1, 4} ; Yousofidarani H⁵
Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2014

Abstract

Background: Hydatid cyst is the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Effect of this parasite on inhibition of cancer cells growth has been shown in previous investigations. Methods: In this study, different numbers of viable protoscoleces of hydatid cyst were injected to C57/Black mice. Then, melanoma cells were injected to the mice, too. Findings: In mice received 100 or 500 protoscolices, significantly smaller tumors were developed in comparison with the control group; but in the group received 1000 protoscoleces, there was no significant difference in tumor size compared to control group. Conclusion: Probably, due to antigenic similarities between protoscolices and cancer cells, the raised antibody against protoscolices antigens may non-specifically affect tumor growth in mice.