Last update July 2024

Does chemotherapy kill parasites in your body?

I'm undergoing chemotherapy and I've heard it might also affect parasites in the body. Is this true?

Answered by

Lisa Miller, Patient Advocate

Yes, chemotherapy has been found to have an impact on parasites within the human body. Chemotherapy drugs, originally intended to disrupt signaling pathways in cancer cells, have demonstrated efficacy in killing the malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) that infects humans. These parasites rely on specific signaling pathways in the host's liver and red blood cells to proliferate, and chemotherapy drugs that target these pathways can inhibit their growth and ultimately eliminate them. In the case of parasitic worms such as Onchocerca volvulus, chemotherapy-induced degeneration of the worms can lead to the release of previously concealed antigens, triggering adverse reactions. However, chemotherapy remains a crucial method for long-term suppression of microfilariae and adult worms, which can persist in the human body for extended periods. Furthermore, certain chemotherapy drugs have exhibited effectiveness against various life stages of the Schistosoma parasite responsible for schistosomiasis. These effects include mortality of the worms, decreased egg production and development, and damage to the parasite's outer covering, rendering it vulnerable to the host's immune system.

Discover Alternative Cancer Treatments

Leave your contact details here for more information.