Fenbendazole is a widely used, FDA-approved medicine for worm infections. There’s no evidence it treats cancer. The anecdotal claim that it can cure cancer is based on a single case study of a cancer patient who underwent remission after taking fenbendazole. That person might have other reasons for remission, including conventional cancer treatments, that aren’t being accounted for. And he might also have been taking other medicines, including anti-psychotics, that can affect cancer treatment outcomes.
A study published in 2021 found that fenbendazole, mebendazole, and other drugs in the same family as fenbendazole (benzimidazole carbamates) can kill cancer cells in petri dishes and mice. However, the findings were preliminary and there’s no evidence that fenbendazole can cure cancer in people.
In an in vitro clonogenic assay, fenbendazole and its combination with rapamycin reduced HeyA8 cell survival. (n = 3)
The drug is also known to have microtubule depolymerizing activity, which could help explain its antitumor effects. In a cell, microtubules play important roles in dividing cells by making sure chromosomes are evenly separated during anaphase and metaphase. Drugs that interfere with microtubules can kill parasites and have cytotoxic anticancer properties. Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelminthic agent that is used in numerous animal species, and it’s already available as an inexpensive antiparasitic treatment. Therefore, repurposing it for use as a cancer treatment would save time and money in the development process. However, clinical trials to test this are needed. In the meantime, patients should talk to their doctors before trying any alternative medicine. fenbendazole cancer treatment