Return of the worms we are missing

A lovely article in the December, 2021 issue of The Scientist by Catherine Offord–“Return of the Worms,” provides a much needed comprehensive review of new research about the mechanisms and efficacy of using worms to control inflammatory diseases. They work! For some patients with some diseases, but placebo responses make proving it difficult. Especially exciting is work on specific mechanisms. Certain worms secrete over 300 proteins into the gut. Mimics of one of them, ES-62, are being developed as possible anti-inflammatory drugs.

This would be a great article for evolutionary medicine courses.