Fenbendazole is a drug that is used to treat parasites in humans and animals. It has been shown to slow down cancer growth in some cell cultures and animals, but it currently doesn’t have sufficient evidence from randomized clinical trials that it can cure cancer.
A user on Facebook named Joe Tippens claimed that he was cured of his colon cancer by taking a combination of supplements, including fenbendazole. He posted this claim on his Facebook page and it went viral. Full Fact has learned that there is no evidence that fenbendazole can cure cancer, and that the medication hasn’t gone through any clinical trials to show if it is safe or effective.
In addition to inhibiting cellular proliferation, fenbendazole also induces apoptosis and causes G2/M arrest in human colorectal cancer cells. Its mechanism of action is similar to that of hypoxia-selective nitroheterocyclic cytotoxins, radiosensitizers, taxanes, and vinca alkaloids, which indicate that this compound might be a potential anticancer agent.
The researchers found that fenbendazole is toxic to cancer cells by binding to beta-tubulin, destabilizing microtubules, and triggering multiple apoptosis pathways. It can also cause cancer cell death by modulating autophagy, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. Compared with 5-FU, fenbendazole is more effective in promoting apoptosis in H460 and A549 cancer cells, while it has a less potent effect on p53-sensitive SNU-C5 cells. Its cytotoxic effects are enhanced by severe hypoxia and can be partially reversed by apoptotic gene silencing. However, if combined with the hypoxia-selective nitroheterocyclic agents, its efficacy can be substantially improved. fenbendazole cancer treatment