Fenbendazole is an anthelmintic drug used to treat parasites in animals. It has been found to prevent tumor growth in some cancer patients. However, there is not enough evidence to prove that it can cure human cancer. A specialist cancer information nurse told Full Fact that fenbendazole has not gone through clinical trials to find out if it is safe or effective.
Inhibition of glucose uptake in cancer cells
Fenbendazole is an antiparasitic drug that has been shown to slow cancer cell growth in petri dishes and mice. It is a member of the benzimidazole family and interferes with energy metabolism, blocking glucose uptake and ATP formation. This may explain why it has been shown to kill tumors in animal studies. However, there is no evidence that it can cure cancer in humans.
In a recent study, researchers tested the effects of fenbendazole for humans cancer cell lung cancer cells. They found that the drug partially alters the microtubule network around the nucleus and induces apoptosis. The drug also inhibited the proliferation of c-Myc-positive cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, fenbendazole can prevent the recurrence of 5-fluorouracil-resistant cancer cells in vivo. It does so by inhibiting the synthesis of cyclin D1.
The researchers studied the effect of fenbendazole on the survival of EMT6 tumors in BALB/cRw mice and compared it to untreated and irradiated control groups. They measured tumor size and weighed the mice at each time point. They also recorded the number of lung metastases at necropsy. The results showed that fenbendazole reduced the number of metastases and tumors in mice with irradiated tumors, but not unirradiated ones.
The authors of this study have argued that the anecdotal claims of cancer patients who have claimed to be cured by fenbendazole are misleading. They note that these patients received conventional treatments in addition to fenbendazole. They have also pointed out that other antiparasitic drugs, including mebendazole and piroxicam, have been found to be effective against cancer in animal studies.
Inhibition of cell proliferation
Fenbendazole is an antihelmintic drug used to treat parasites in animals. Although it is not approved for human use, research suggests that the drug can prevent cancer cells from growing. Scientists have found that fenbendazole inhibits the growth of tumors by blocking several processes in the cell. This has been compared to the effects of chemotherapy and has shown promise in cell culture and animal models.
In a 2018 paper published in Nature, researchers showed that fenbendazole suppresses tumor growth by affecting multiple cellular pathways. These findings suggest that the drug is effective against a wide range of cancers. It also appears to bypass resistance mechanisms that are commonly seen with single-target drugs.
The researchers used the drug in mice with locally invasive colorectal cancer and found that it significantly reduced tumor volume. The results were similar to those of mice that received conventional chemotherapy. However, there are other factors that need to be taken into account. For example, the Joe Tippens protocol could have had other causes of remission, such as conventional cancer treatments, which aren’t being accounted for.
The anthelmintic drug is available in oral granules and liquid suspension and can be administered on a regular basis. It can be taken in conjunction with other treatments, including immuno-oncology therapies, and is well tolerated by humans. It is also cheap and readily available, making it an attractive option for people seeking alternative treatments for cancer.
Inhibition of cell migration
Fenbendazole interferes with the formation of microtubules, a protein scaffold that gives shape and structure to cells. Cells use this structure to move through narrow spaces and transport organelles or cargo. Although textbook depictions of cells show various components floating in amorphous bags of liquid, the fact is that a cell’s structure and shape are established through a highly dynamic scaffold that includes a protein called tubulin. Fenbendazole inhibits the polymerization of tubulin and blocks cell migration, a key step in tumor development.
The drug also interferes with cell division. It is known to block the formation of mitotic spindles, structures that separate chromosomes during cell division (mitosis). This is why it’s effective in stopping cancer progression. The mechanism of action is similar to that of cytotoxic anticancer agents.
In addition, fenbendazole can prevent apoptosis in human cancer cells and induce ferroptosis in cells that overexpress the protein SLC7A11 and the lipid repair enzyme GPX4. Ferroptosis is an event that occurs when free iron levels are low and the mitochondria start to die due to excessive oxidative stress.
To test the effects of fenbendazole on tumour growth in mice, researchers administered the drug orally and measured tumor volume each day until it reached a threshold volume. They then compared the growth of tumors in fenbendazole-treated mice to those in non-treated mice. The results showed that fenbendazole reduced the rate of growth of EMT6 tumors in mice.
Inhibition of cell apoptosis
In cell cultures, fenbendazole can cause cell apoptosis by blocking cellular respiration and inhibiting the production of mitochondrial ATP. This is due to the drug’s binding to the NADH-cytochrome oxidase complex. It also reduces glucose uptake in cancer cells by downregulating what are known as GLUT transporters. In addition, fenbendazole may kill cancer cells by inhibiting the action of a protein called AMPK. The drug is also able to inhibit the formation of reactive oxygen species in the cytoplasm.
It isn’t clear if fenbendazole will help to treat human cancers, but it can slow down the growth of tumors in animals and cells. However, it doesn’t seem to have any effect on recurrence in people with existing cancers. While anthelmintics have potential as cancer treatments, they must undergo rigorous clinical trials to be proven effective.
The TikTok post also claims that fenbendazole kills cancer cells “unlike your other NHS shit that just makes them lay dormant/sleep untill [sic] they are ready to wake back up”. This is false because there is no evidence that fenbendazole can cure cancer in humans. Specialist cancer information nurses have said that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that this treatment would be effective. The post also doesn’t account for the fact that Tippens had other conventional cancer treatments, such as immuno-cancer therapy, that might have contributed to his remission.