Developing new drugs is an expensive, time-consuming process. It can take years to turn a promising compound into an approved medication. The drug fenbendazole, an anthelmintic used to treat parasites, has shown some cancer-fighting abilities. It has been shown to destroy cancer cells and promote regression in some patients with large B-cell lymphoma that had metastasized, renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer. In a study, fenbendazole was shown to interfere with the glucose intake of cancer cells. This slowed their growth and decreased their ability to divide. In addition, fenbendazole was also found to increase the WT p53 tumor suppressor gene expression, resulting in cell death-inducing activity.
The research is ongoing. However, Health Canada lists this drug for veterinary use only. Until the results of these studies are translated into human trials, it’s unlikely that fenbendazole will become an approved anti-cancer treatment.
Many people believe that the combination of fenbendazole and targeted supplements can cure cancer. While some of these claims are based on anecdotal evidence, the fenbendazole for cancer story is getting more attention than ever before. The internet has allowed people to share their stories with the world and find support groups. Social media sites have also helped people stay up-to-date on the latest medical news. Although some of the information on these sites is reliable, doctors must caution patients about self-administering dietary supplements.
The anthelmintic, fenbendazole, is known to be effective against a variety of parasites in humans and animals. It has been used to treat worm infestations for decades. Recently, however, it has been used to treat cancer in mice and humans.
In a study, researchers found that fenbendazole was effective against tumors in mice and rats. The drug interfered with cell division by preventing tubulin polymerization. In the same study, researchers found that fenbendazole inhibited the growth of colon, melanoma, and breast cancer cells in laboratory tests. In addition, fenbendazole increased the sensitivity of ovarian and colon cancer cells to chemotherapy.
Researchers tested the hypothesis that a diet high in vitamin C and E and fenbendazole would inhibit the growth of tumors in mice. They randomly assigned four groups of mice to a diet either low in vitamins or supplemented with these nutrients plus fenbendazole. They found that the fenbendazole and vitamin group had significantly lower tumor volumes than the control group. The fenbendazole and vitamin combination was more effective than vitamin C alone or vitamin E alone.
The authors interviewed a lung cancer patient who self-administered fenbendazole for her non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). She experienced a significant reduction in her tumor volume. She had not been advised about the potential of this treatment by her oncologist. However, she was aware of the potential benefit of this approach from the online sources she had consulted. This case report highlights the importance of educating patients about their self-administration of orally ingested products, including dietary supplements and herbs. Physicians should also ask patients about the sources of medical information that they acquire through the internet, especially social media sites.
