Cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Analysis of epidemiological data has revealed a negative relationship between allergic conditions and
cancer incidence. This study addresses the effects of chronic
antigen ingestion by sensitized mice (
allergy) on Ehrlich
tumor growth in mouse footpad. Mice were sensitized (allergic) or not (
sham) with
ovalbumin and challenged orally with egg white
solution. After one week of oral challenge, all mice were inoculated with experimental Ehrlich
tumor (EET) cells in the footpad, and
tumor growth was evaluated for 21 days. A decrease in
tumor growth occurred, as assessed by paw thickness in the allergic group, which was associated with smaller areas of
necrosis, reduced infiltration of neutrophils, and reduced levels of IFN-gamma,
IL-4, and
IL-10. Although, the
tumor proliferation rate was similar in both groups, an increase in apoptosis occurred in allergic mice. In conclusion, analysis of the data obtained allows us to suggest that a concomitant allergic condition would reduce
tumor progression through increased
tumor cell apoptosis, accompanied by reduced areas of
necrosis at the
tumor site. Indeed, such findings suggested a possible mechanism for the reduced
cancer incidence observed in allergic individuals.