Use of fly larva (Maggots) in Cancer Treatment: A systematic review

Introduction: Superficial cancers are one of the most common cancers in humans and animals. The use of maggot therapy as an alternative treatment is expanding and has achieved great success in treating superficial. Maggot extracts and secretions have been also demonstrated to have beneficial biological effects. The present study aimed to perform the first systematic review of the use of maggot, as well as its secretions and extracts, in neoplasms. Methods: In the current review study, online databases, such as Pub Med, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, were searched to retrieve the published studies from ۱۹۸۵-۲۰۲۱. The used keywords were Maggot therapy, Larval therapy, Larval extract, Larval secretions, Cancer, Neoplasm, and Tumor. Only research on the larvae of the order Diptera was included in the present study. Results: Out of ۳۸۷ screened papers, ۹ articles met the proposed inclusion criteria. There were three articles on the use of maggot debridement therapy in tumor lesions and six articles on the effect of maggot secretions and extract on neoplastic cells. Maggot debridement therapy has been able to control the complications of skin tumors and breast cancer. Several studies have also reported anti-tumor effects on larval extracts and secretions. Conclusions: Maggots were able to improve the appearance of lesions and prevent further tumor growth that was progressing before larval therapy. It seems that maggot therapy can be used to treat necrotic tumors; moreover, its extract and secretions can be used to treat a wider range of cancers in humans and animals. Nonetheless, more studies are needed in non-progressive cancers to determine the true effects of this method.