Fenbendazole is a prescription medication that is used to treat parasites and worms in animals. However, it has recently become popular as a cancer treatment after videos were posted on YouTube and TikTok by a veterinarian who claims that it cures cancer.
The effects of 2-h treatments with fenbendazole on EMT6 cell viability were assessed by measuring colony formation assays. The survival curves were plotted both as surviving fractions and yield-corrected surviving fractions.
Fenben toxicity
Fenbendazole, the active ingredient in the anti-worm drug mebendazole, has a long track record of safe use in humans. It is also effective against a wide range of parasites in livestock and in other animal species.
It is known that fenbendazole blocks cell cycle progression by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. The mechanism of action involves inhibition of cyclin B1 – cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) interaction. This blockage results in mitotic catastrophe and cell-cycle arrest.
Fenbendazole toxicity has been observed in domesticated birds, including pigeons and doves, as well as wild avian species, such as the critically endangered Indian Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus), White-rumped Vulture (G. bengalensis), and Slender-billed Vulture (G. tenuirostris). Toxicity has also been seen in a number of other domesticated and wild species, such as Cape Griffons (Gyps coprotheres) and White-backed Vultures (Gyps africanus).
Fenben side effects
Fenben (also known as BEN) is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic in the benzimidazole carbamate family. It has been used for over six decades in veterinary and human medicine to control parasitic infections, such as giardiasis.
It inhibits tubulin polymerization, thereby blocking the assembly of mitotic spindles. Consequently, it prevents the onset of mitosis and blocks cell cycle progression in early G2. Similarly, it induces apoptosis by binding to cyclin B1 and blocking its phosphorylation and degradation by anaphase-promoting complex.
Unlike many anthelmintics, fenbendazole has a long track record of safety in humans and is even approved for use in pregnant women and children. It is also an effective antiparasitic in animals and has been shown to reduce hookworm, whipworm, and trichuris egg counts. Moreover, it also has potent anti-cancer activity in lab experiments. Joe Tippens, a cancer patient, has been taking fenbendazole along with other natural treatments. The combination has been successful in preventing his cancer from spreading and has given him a second chance at life.
Fenben and cancer
Fenbendazole (FenBen) is a broad-spectrum carbamate antihelmintic that has been used safely as an anthelmintic for about six decades. It belongs to the benzimidazole family of anthelmintics that also includes albendazole and mebendazole.
It has been shown that fenbendazole (FenBen) inhibits the growth of colorectal cancer cells in culture and xenografted tumors in mice. It is not clear how this occurs but it appears that the drug interferes with cell cycle progression and causes mitotic catastrophe. It may also inhibit glucose uptake by inhibiting expression of GLUT transporters and key glycolytic enzymes.
Treatment of xenografted tumors in athymic nude mice with oral doses of FenBen resulted in marked reductions in tumor size and weight. Hemoglobin content in the tumors was decreased indicating reduced vascularity. In addition, fenbendazole significantly increased the activation of p53 in SNU-C5 and SNU-C5/5-FUR colorectal cancer cells. It also increased autophagy proteins including Beclin-1 and LC3-I in both cells.
