Fenbendazole (FZ) inhibits glucose uptake in cancer cells and blocks the growth of human xenografts. It also alters hexokinase II expression and activity, another important glycolytic enzyme in cancer cells.
2-h and 24-h treatment with varying concentrations of fenbendazole decreased cell survival in aerobic EMT6 monolayer cultures, as shown by the yield-corrected surviving fractions (Figure 1). Severe hypoxia increased the toxicity of FZ at drug concentrations close to its solubility limit.
What is fenbendazole?
Fenbendazole (also known as Panacur C) is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic used in animals to treat several parasitic diseases, including gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms. It is also used to control tapeworm infections in dogs and cats.
In an experimental study, researchers found that fenbendazole suppressed tumor growth and reduced the number of circulating cancer cells in mice with KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma. In the experiment, fenbendazole was administered to the mice in a sterile saline solution before they were exposed to radiation.
The participants in the study reported that they obtained information about fenbendazole through YouTube and other media channels. They reported that the information was fragmented and incomplete. However, two of the participants actively cross-checked the information they had acquired to determine whether it was true or false. The interviewees were diagnosed with stage one to four lung cancer.
How does fenbendazole work?
Fenbendazole is a broad spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic used in animals to treat gastrointestinal parasites such as giardia, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, the tapeworm genus Taenia (but not effective against Dipylidium caninum, the common dog tapeworm), pinworms, aelurostrongylus and paragonimiasis. It is available in tablet form, liquid suspension and granules to be administered orally. It is also used to treat nematodes in livestock and fish tanks.
The pharmacological properties of fenbendazole suggest that it may act as an anticancer drug, in part by promoting autophagy and/or inhibiting microtubule assembly in cancer cells. It has been reported that fenbendazole induces G2/M arrest, apoptosis and autophagy in 5-FU-sensitive SNU-C5 and SNU-C5/5-FUR CRC cell lines.
It is often prescribed as a compounded medication by veterinarians or pharmacists if there’s a reason your pet can’t take an FDA-approved drug, such as they have trouble swallowing pills in capsule form, the dosage strength isn’t commercially available, or are allergic to an ingredient in the FDA-approved pill formulation. Compounds are medications that have been made by a licensed pharmacist on an individual basis for a specific patient.
What are the possible side effects of fenbendazole?
Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic that has been shown to effectively treat various parasitic diseases in animal species. It has a high safety margin and most animal species tolerate it well at therapeutic doses.
It is important to follow the deworming schedule prescribed by your veterinarian. Missing one or more treatments can render the medication ineffective and may cause side effects, such as drooling or diarrhea.
Our focus group interviews included 21 lung cancer patients (13 men and eight women) who were informed about fenbendazole. We asked them how they learned about this alternative medicine and their perception of it. We also inquired about their knowledge and experiences with other deworming medicines, such as meloxicam, etomycin, and orphenazole. We conducted the interviews from December 7 to 8 and used a semi-structured interview guide. In addition, participants were asked to provide their demographic information. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. In most cases, the information about fenbendazole was first shared by acquaintances or family members.
Are there any drug interactions with fenbendazole?
Although fenbendazole is generally well tolerated and not associated with adverse effects in animals, it is important to tell your veterinarian about all medications your pet is taking. This includes vitamins, supplements, and herbal therapies.
The benzimidazole family of drugs, including fenbendazole, has been used to treat gastrointestinal parasites in livestock and pets (dogs, cats, horses, sheep) since the 1950s. These drugs have been shown to be effective against various helminth infections and to exhibit antitumor activity in animal models.
Several studies have reported that in vitro and in vivo fenbendazole has antitumor effects in human lung cancer cells with a KRAS mutation, as well as tumor growth inhibition in mice bearing EMT6 mammary tumors. In one study, a 1 mg/mouse dose of fenbendazole was administered to athymic nu/nu mice with human lung adenocarcinoma cells implanted into the chest cavity and was associated with a significant reduction in tumor size and weight.
In another experiment, mice with EMT6 mammary tumors were given three daily i.p. injections of fenbendazole or pyrogen-free physiologic saline, and then were irradiated with 10 Gy x-rays. Mice were stratified by tumor volume at the time of treatment and groups were analyzed for differences in tumor growth or radiation response.
