Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
2
Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
3
Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Iran.
4
Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Iran
5
Faculty of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
6
Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
7
School of Pharmacy, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
8
Medical doctor, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.22092/ari.2025.367129.3349
Abstract
In recent decades, immunotherapy has been a promising cancer treatment approach. However, these methods' limited results and side effects have revealed the need to improve and strengthen them. This article aims to review this field's progress, challenges, and future perspectives. It will analyze the critical role of these approaches in developing more effective and safer treatments for cancer patients. Cancer immunotherapy is an innovative method to enhance immunotherapy's effects by using parasites as immune system stimulants. Different parasites such as Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus), Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis), Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) have molecules and mechanisms that can modulate and strengthen the body's immune responses. E. granulosus, which causes Cystic echinococcosis (CE), can stimulate the immune system and be an adjuvant in cancer immunotherapy. T. spiralis is another parasite that has the potential to be used in immunotherapy treatments due to its intense stimulation of the host's immune system. The T. cruzi, which causes African sleeping sickness, has proteins and molecules that can help boost immune responses. T. gondii, the protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, has also attracted the attention of researchers due to its ability to stimulate the immune system. In this review article, the role of these parasites in enhancing cancer immunotherapy is investigated, as well as their molecular and cellular mechanisms. In addition, the role of nanocoatings in improving the efficiency and safety of these methods will be examined. In conclusion, nanocoatings can act as intelligent carriers for precise and effective delivery of immunostimulating molecules and minimize side effects. Combining parasites and nanocoatings can be used as a new multidimensional approach to cancer treatment and significantly improve treatment results.
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