Effect of two hydatid cyst antigens on the growth of melanoma cancer in C57/black mice.

Hydatid cyst is the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. In previous studies inhibitory effect of this parasite on cancer cell growth in culture medium has been shown. In this study effect of hydatid cyst antigens on tumor growth in experimental animals has been investigated. Two antigens of hydatid cyst including protoscolices excretory secretory antigen and hydatid fluid absorbed on alum as adjuvant were injected to two groups of C57/black mice as case groups. Control groups were injected with only saline and alum. All mice then were injected with melanoma cells. Both antigens reduced the tumor size in mice in case groups. The difference of tumor size in mice in case groups and control group was statistically significant. In conclusion, anti-tumor effect of hydatid cyst antigens may be related to antigenic similarities which exist between hydatid cyst and cancer cells.