Targeting Tapeworms

This cute-looking creature is actually the larval form of a life-threatening parasite. Echinococcus granulosus, also known as the dog tapeworm, can be transmitted to humans and grow reproductive cysts in major organs such as the lungs or liver. The current treatments fail for 30–40% percent of patients, but there's a promising potential cure. A drug called metformin is already used to treat hyperglycaemia in people with type 2 diabetes. It works by blocking the electron transport chain, which is part of the process of respiration that converts energy from the sugars in food into a form that an organism can use. Metformin also prevents the liver from producing more sugars, which means that the parasite can’t get enough energy to survive. Because of its ability to block energy release, metformin is also being tested in combatting cancer cells, which use a lot of energy.

Written by Esther Redhouse White

Esther Redhouse White

Writer

A recent Biochemistry graduate from York, Esther has worked on bacterial killing proteins and genetic switches in worms. In her spare time she likes visiting museums full of skeletons.

• Image from work by Julia A. Loos and Andrea C. Cumino
• Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina
• Originally published under a Creative Commons Licence (BY 4.0)
• Research published in PLOS One, May 2015