Are hormones relevant for the search and design of anti-parasitic drugs?

Over the last years the biology of many parasites that infect humans and domestic animals has been intensively studied. Considerable efforts were addressed to obtain information on the parasite-host immune relationship. However, the knowledge of the endocrine physiology of parasites and the consequences of the local hormone production on the host tissues needs further investigation. We review here literature and our own studies on endocrine parasite capacities with special emphasis on cysticercosis. Besides the biological interest, these investigations may contribute to identify in the future alternative treatments for the disease.