Fenbendazole is a drug used in human medicine to treat parasites such as giardiasis, whipworms, hookworms, and pinworms. It is also being researched for its potential anti-cancer activity. It is a benzimidazole with an unusual structure that inhibits the enzyme phosphotase and other related P-glycoproteins, which are involved in resistance to many anticancer drugs. The fenbendazole molecule also binds to the microtubules of cells, which prevents their formation and causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
In laboratory mice, fenbendazole has been shown to inhibit growth of a human lymphoma xenograft. This suggests that fenbendazole could be used to treat different types of cancer in combination with radiation and other therapies.
Other researchers have studied fenbendazole’s effect on tumors and found that it is extremely potent in inhibiting cell proliferation, a key process in cellular growth. It also blocks glucose absorption in cancer cells, which is known as the Warburg effect, and reduces glucose utilization by normal cells. This allows the tumor cells to be targeted by radiation therapy with less toxicity to healthy tissue.
Some animal studies suggest that fenbendazole is safe for use in animals, and previous safety investigations of fenbendazole have demonstrated good tolerance at human-dose levels. This is a very important factor for patients who need to take medications that are likely to be taken for a long time.
A recent study showed that fenbendazole may make certain tumors more sensitive to radiation treatment by blocking their ability to excrete the radioactive ion out of the cell through P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux pumps. The ion is then trapped inside the tumor, allowing more radiation to penetrate and kill the tumor.
Another study investigated the effect of fenbendazole on radiation-sensitive and -resistant tumors in mice, and found that fenbendazole accelerated the disappearance of radiation-sensitive tumors by disrupting cellular signaling pathways. This was a significant finding because it means that the drug can help to sensitize cancer cells to radiation and other treatments, even after they develop resistance to one or more drugs.
Unlike most chemotherapy agents, fenbendazole does not cross the blood-brain barrier to reach cancer cells in the brain, so it is not expected to have any neurotoxicity effects. This makes it a potential treatment for brain tumors, as well as other tumors throughout the body.
Fenbendazole is generally very well tolerated at a dose of up to 444 mg/day in humans (1 gram of Panacur(r)C). The basic dosage for dogs is 222mg per day given three days on, four days off. During the on phase of the schedule, be sure to give it with a full meal. Some dogs may experience drooling, diarrhea, or vomiting with this medication. If these side effects occur, it is recommended to discontinue the medication and consult your veterinarian. fenbendazole 222mg capsules for humans