Figure 2.

Diagram of anti-tumor mechanisms of Plasmodium. Plasmodium infection can stimulate the immune system through various pathways to reverse tumor immune suppression and activate multiple signaling pathways to indirectly inhibit tumor progression. Meanwhile, its important component VAR2CSA can specifically target and adhere to tumor cells, which can be used for tumor liquid biopsy and the development of targeted drugs. MAGE-A3, Melanoma-associated antigen 3; CD8, cluster of differentiation 8; NK cells, natural killer cells; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; MDSCs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells; Tregs, regulatory T cells; TME, tumor microenvironment; DCs, dendritic cells; IL-6/12, interleukin-6/12; IFN-γ, interferon-γ; EMT, epithelial-mesenchymal transition; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1; MMP9, matrix metalloprotease 9; VEGFR2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2; CSA, chondroitin sulfate A.