Fasciola Hepatica Extract Induces Cell Death of Mammalian Cells

Background: Fascioliasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects poor people from poor and developing countries. In the world, it has been estimated that at least 2.6 million people are affected with this disease. The International agency for Research on Cancer, states that O. viverrini and C. sinensis, also liver flukes, are considered as definitive causes of cholangiocarcinoma. However, fascioliasis caused by F. hepatica has not been associated with cancer to date. There are not any known causative associations between this parasite and liver cancer (cholangiocarcinoma). Methods: Chine Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells were treated with F. haepatica extracts and cell proliferation was assessed by using the indirect method for estimating cell number based on the mitochondrial activity with MTS cell proliferation reagent. Results: We observed unexpected death of these cells when treated with F. haepatica extracts. Conclusion: We now hypothesize that this parasite could be used as a medically-important trematode pathogen in cancer therapy.