<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> But Not <i>Leishmania major</i> or <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> Decreases Cell Proliferation and Increases Cell Death on Fibrosarcoma Cancer Cells in Culture Medium

Abstract

It has been shown that some parasites interfere with malignant tumor cells growth in vivo or in vitro. In this work anticancer activity of three live protozoan parasites; Toxoplasma gondii , Trichomonas vaginalis and Leishmania major on fibrosarcoma cells growth has been investigated in cell culture medium. In this experimental study, WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma cells treated with alive Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite, Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoite or Leishmania major promastigote as case groups or left intact as control groups. Following 24 hours incubation the number of cells, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and apoptosis were determined in case and control groups. Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite decreased cell proliferation and increased cell lyses’ but it did not induce apoptosis. Trichomonas vaginalis or Leishmania major didn’t show any effects on cell proliferation, cell lyses or apoptosis. Therefore Toxoplasma gondii may have anticancer activity and further works is recommended to understand the mechanisms of action.