We might have come across many people who are usually obsessed with cats. But at times, this obsession can turn into madness. Where does this madness arise from? There is a research link between the cat parasite named Toxoplasma gondii and the psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. House cats are considered as the primary hosts of Toxoplasma gondii.

But according to a study published in Psychological Medicine in 2017, it was reported that just having the cats doesn’t increase the risk of psychosis. It’s the cat parasite that causes psychosis.

Later, a research team from Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine NH, were trying to find the parasite’s immune power against cancer tumors, with the ultimate goal of making a cancer vaccine.

Researchers have known that T. gondii infection strongly induces a Th1 immune response, which can increase the cancer survival rates.

David J. Bzik, PhD, the lead investigator and the professor in Microbiology and Immunology, said “We know biologically this parasite has figured out how to stimulate the exact immune responses you want to fight cancer.”

Only during the recent time, the researchers found a way to bioengineer T. gondii, so that it can be prevented from replication if injected into humans. By injecting into mouse, a strong antitumor response was developed which prevented the development of new tumours.

Barbara Fox, the senior research associate of  Microbiology and Immunology, said “By gaining preferential access to the inside of powerful innate immune cell types, our mutated strain of T. gondii reprograms the natural power of the immune system to clear tumor cells and cancer.”

Still, further investigation is needed before the vaccine has proceeded for clinical trials.