Fenben for humans is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug that is used to treat parasitic diseases and worms in animals. However, research has revealed that fenbendazole can also be used to treat various cancers. A new study published in Scientific Reports has found that this anti-parasitic drug possesses cancer-fighting properties. In particular, fenbendazole can reactivate the p53 gene in cancer cells. P53 is a tumor suppressor gene that prevents cancer from developing. This makes fenbendazole and other drugs in the benzimidazole family of chemicals potential new cancer treatments.
Researchers studied p53-mutant and p53 wild-type human non-small cell lung cancer cells treated with fenbendazole. The results showed that fenbendazole disrupted microtubules, which is the structure that cancer cells use to grow and divide. The drug also interfered with the cancer cells’ ability to absorb glucose, which is necessary for growth and proliferation. This led to the preferential elimination of cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo.
Scientists then studied the effects of fenbendazole on EMT6 mammary tumors in BALB/c mice. These tumors were injected i.p. and their volume was recorded three times a week. Once each tumor reached a volume of 1000 mm3, the mice were euthanized and the tumors were examined for metastases or local invasion. The results indicated that fenbendazole diets or three daily i.p. injections did not alter tumor growth in unirradiated or irradiated tumors.
However, when combined with irradiation, fenbendazole significantly inhibited EMT6 tumor growth. This is because fenbendazole interacts with a location on tubulin, and like other vinca alkaloids, inhibits the movement of tubulin within the cell. This is why fenbendazole has the potential to enhance the antitumor effects of radiation and other chemotherapy agents.
The repurposing of veterinary drugs as human anti-cancer agents is an emerging trend in the pharmaceutical industry. This repurposing is based on the fact that many veterinary anti-parasitics have exhibited promising tumor growth inhibitory activities. Moreover, these drugs are relatively inexpensive and safe to administer to humans. In addition, they can be administered in combination with other treatments to produce superior results.
This type of treatment is gaining popularity among some patients because of several fenbendazole cancer success stories. These cases show that the fenbendazole is effective in treating cancers such as brain, prostate, and ovarian cancers. In addition, the fenbendazole can also reduce the severity of some side effects of conventional therapies.
Another fenbendazole cancer success story involves a man who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was unable to afford conventional cancer treatments, so he turned to alternative medicine. He began taking fenbendazole, a compound that is sold as an animal anthelmintic, to treat his cancer. Using this drug to fight his cancer allowed him to live without having to undergo surgery or chemotherapy. The results were amazing, and he is now cancer-free. He has since launched a website to share his experience and encourage others to follow in his footsteps. The site is called Fenbendazole for Cancer.