In the lab, fenben has shown excellent effectiveness in fighting helminth infections and has a good track record for safety. This is why it has been used to treat parasitic worms in humans for decades (it’s also an effective treatment of Ascaris, hookworm and Trichuris). There are many reports of people using fenben on a long term basis with no obvious ill effects.
It is widely known that the benzimidazole (BZ) family of drugs, which includes albendazole, flubendazole and fenbendazole, can be used as an anti-cancer agent. These drugs have been used in veterinary medicine to control parasitic roundworms, whipworms and one species of tapeworm (Taenia pisiformis). They are also being used by some cancer patients as part of a protocol called the Joe Tippens Protocol.
Fenbendazole (FZ) shows moderate microtubule depolymerizing activity in human cancer cells, and at high concentrations inhibits cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. In addition to its antimicrotubule effect, FZ alters glucose uptake by decreasing expression of GLUT transporters and impairing the enzymatic activity of hexokinase II, a glycolytic enzyme that is essential for cancer cell survival.
Despite these promising results, Health Canada still lists all anthelmintic products, including fenbendazole, as animal medications only and not for human use. It’s not clear if the drug will prove to be an effective cancer therapy, but anecdotal evidence is mounting and it certainly looks promising. This is an exciting development for those suffering from unresponsive and late stage cancers. fenben for humans