Prevention and treatment of cancers are of utmost importance. Cancer is a deadly disease that affects millions of people every year[
2]. Prevention is the best defense against cancer, and it can be achieved through healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption[
30]. Early detection is also crucial in the successful treatment of cancer. Regular screenings and check-ups can help detect cancer in early stages, increasing the chances of successful treatment. The earlier cancer is detected and treated, the better the chances of survival. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize both the prevention and treatment of cancers to reduce the burden of this disease on individuals and society as a whole. The latest cancer treatment and prevention methods include immunotherapy, targeted therapy, precision medicine, and gene therapy [
31]. Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells, while targeted therapy targets specific genes or proteins that promote cancer growth. Precision medicine uses genetic testing to tailor treatment to an individual’s unique genetic makeup, and gene therapy involves modifying a patient’s genes to treat or prevent disease. These cutting-edge approaches hold promise for improving cancer outcomes and reducing the burden of this disease on individuals and society. There is growing interest in exploring novel therapeutic approaches, including the use of parasites and their components, to treat different types of cancers. One promising area of research involves utilizing hydatid cysts, larval stages of the tapeworm
Echinococcus granulosus, and their antigens as a form of cancer immunotherapy. HCF contains molecules that modulate and evade the host immune system. The antigens appear to activate dendritic cells and natural killer cells, promoting Th1 cell-mediated immunity that targets cancerous cells. Using parasites like
Echinococcus granulosus and their secreted bioactive compounds provides a biologically-derived form of cancer immunotherapy. The parasitological approach aims to harness the immune-modulating properties of helminths to activate anti-tumor immune responses. Overall, this innovative parasitological immunotherapy approach could lead to more effective and natural cancer treatments in the future. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the anti-tumor effects of hydatid cyst antigens [
3]. These include: Activation of innate immunity through toll-like receptors which stimulates dendritic cell maturation and natural killer cell activity, promotion of apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis in cancer cells, induction of a specific anti-tumor immune response mediated by Th1 lymphocytes and cytotoxic T cells, downregulation of regulatory T cells which suppress immune responses against cancer cells [
3]. In cancer, cytokines can either promote or inhibit tumor growth, depending on their specific effects. A comparative analysis of cytokines in in vitro studies on treating and preventing of cancers by hydatid cysts revealed significant differences in the expression of various cytokines. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were found to be upregulated, while interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were downregulated in the presence of hydatid cysts. These findings suggest that hydatid cysts may have a potential therapeutic role in cancer treatment by modulating cytokine expression. However, further studies are needed to fully understand this effect’s mechanisms. According to the results of some studies they reported a decrease in Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-6) in AgB and HCF groups. Studies on preclinical cancer subjects suggested that IL-6 is a promoter of tumorigenicity, angiogenesis, and metastasis. An experimental study on breast cancer showed that Hydatid Cyst Wall Antigens considerably increased the serum levels of IL2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL4 in mice. Similarly, another research discovered that IL2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α serum levels were significantly increased in the group injected with HCF and 78 kDa fraction antigens. An investigation of serum samples in patients with colorectal cancer showed that it was associated with a decrease in IL-12 level and an increase in IL-10 level, which shows a strong connection between hydatid cyst antigen and cancer control from immunological pathways and immune system modulation. Animal studies have demonstrated hydatid cyst antigen can inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in certain cancer models such as melanoma, bladder cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, also, in these studies, the reduction of tumor size in treated groups confirms the effectiveness of hydatid cyst antigens in cancer prevention and Overall, hydatid cyst derivatives show promise as an alternative biological approach to activate anti-tumor immunity. Early human trials on animal models have been conducted using hydatid cyst antigens to treat patients with lung cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer[
32,
33]. These initial studies suggest hydatid immunotherapy is well-tolerated and can improve clinical outcomes when combined with chemotherapy. Challenges still exist in optimizing preparation techniques and antigen isolation methods to elicit consistent anti-tumor immune responses. More clinical trials are also needed to determine the efficacy of hydatid immunotherapy for different cancer types and stages. Overall, hydatid cyst antigens represent a novel biological therapeutic that may provide a safer, more effective alternative to current cancer treatments. More research is warranted to realize the full potential of this parasitological approach to cancer immunotherapy.
HCF antigens can be administered via several routes such as subcutaneous injection, intraperitoneal injection, orally, or loaded into dendritic cells[
34]. Injected antigen appears most effective at eliciting anti-tumor immune responses, but oral delivery is safer and easier for extended treatment periods. Also, hydatid antigens demonstrate synergistic effects when combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other immunomodulators like cytokines. Combination approaches aim to produce optimal antigen exposure while stimulating innate and adaptive immunity. While cystic hydatid disease is endemic in certain parts of the world and poses significant health risks, current research into using hydatid cysts to treat cancer has some major limitations and flaws: Studies to date have focused mainly on in vitro and animal studies, with very few small clinical trials. There is a lack of large, well-designed human trials to demonstrate efficacy and safety in treating human cancers, the precise mechanism by which hydatid cysts may potentially inhibit tumor growth is still unclear, hampering the development of effective therapies. Several possible mechanisms have been suggested but require further research, many confounding factors in existing studies make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about efficacy. Studies have varied widely in methodology, patient populations, cyst preparations, and comparison groups, safety concerns remain regarding the use of hydatid cysts and their antigens in cancer patients. Side effects like allergic reactions and anaphylaxis have been reported. Long-term safety data are lacking, there are challenges in standardizing cyst preparations, dosages, and treatment protocols that limit the reproducibility and generalizability of the findings. Without standardized preparations and protocols, comparing results across studies is difficult. In summary, while initial research into using hydatid cysts for cancer treatment is interesting, much more rigorous human trials are needed before this approach can be validated and ready for patient use . The limitations of existing studies emphasize the need for well-designed future research focused on efficacy, safety, and feasibility in humans. A review of the studies’ findings shows potential mechanisms proposed for how hydatid cysts may inhibit tumor growth include: stimulating the immune system to attack tumors, inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, and modulating inflammatory responsesAlso, studies have mainly focused on using hydatid cysts or their antigens to treat certain solid tumors like breast cancer, lung cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Very little research exists on their potential use for hematological malignancies or other types of cancer. The supply of hydatid cysts is an issue that limits their therapeutic potential. Most existing research relies on naturally acquired cysts from patients or animal hosts. This limits the ability to produce sufficient quantities of standardized cyst preparations for broader clinical use. There are ethical concerns regarding the use of intact hydatid cysts given they contain live parasitic elements. Some researchers have focused instead on isolating and using just the cyst antigens, but this may reduce therapeutic efficacy. Future research needs to clarify optimal doses, treatment regimens, and protocols to maximize efficacy while minimizing side effects, especially in humans. Many details of "hydatid immunotherapy" remain to be established through well-designed clinical trials. Overall, while initial results are promising, major scientific and practical hurdles must first be overcome before hydatid cysts or their antigens can realistically be considered as novel cancer treatments. More rigorous human studies are critical to move this research forward.