Fenbendazole is an anthelmintic medication commonly used to treat and prevent intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Taenia solium) in dogs. It is also an antitumor agent and exhibits effects similar to cytotoxic anticancer agents.
Western blot analysis showed that fenbendazole induces autophagy via Beclin-1 in colorectal cancer cells. Severe hypoxia greatly increases fenbendazole toxicity in cell culture.
Antiparasitic
Fenbendazole, also known as Panacur and Safe-Guard, is a broad spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic that kills parasitic worms in the gastrointestinal tract including giardia, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and certain tapeworms (including Taenia solium but not Dipylidium caninum). It has polymerization inhibitory effects on microtubules, which form part of the cytoskeleton and give structure to cells.
This same study found that fenbendazole inhibits BoHV-1 infection in MDBK cells at the early stages of the virus infection cycle, based on its ability to reduce bICP4 and bICP22 mRNA expression, which are required for viral transcription. These findings further corroborate that fenbendazole has antiparasitic activity and support its use as an effective deworming medication for dogs. Your veterinarian will recommend a deworming schedule and type of medication for your dog.
Antitumor
Fenbendazole, a broad-spectrum anthelmintic used to treat gastrointestinal parasites, has been shown to have antitumor effects in animal models. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells by disrupting microtubule polymerization and activating the p53 gene, which stops tumor cell proliferation. It also blocks glucose transport, which is required for cancer cells to grow.
Patients who received fenbendazole in addition to chemotherapy experienced fewer metastases than those who did not receive the drug. However, the interviewees were unable to explain this finding. They reported that they acquired information about fenbendazole from the media and did not access the original data.
This study showed that fenbendazole inhibited the radiation response of EMT6 tumor-bearing mice. Mice injected with tumors were randomly assigned to receive three daily injections of 50 mg/kg of fenbendazole, or to be irradiated. The appearance and behavior of each mouse was observed at 4-d intervals.
Antiviral
Fenbendazole is a medication often used in the veterinary industry to control parasites and worms (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms) in pets (common brand names include Pancur and Safe-Guard). It also has been shown to be effective at killing cancerous cells in a method of treatment known as the Joe Tippens Protocol.
Intensive regimens of three daily i.p. injections of fenbendazole do not alter the growth of EMT6 tumors in mice and, when combined with radiation, do not enhance the antitumor effects of this therapy. However, fenbendazole does have some antiviral effects in vitro. It inhibits the phosphorylation of both PLC-g1 and Akt in MDBK cells stimulated by a BoHV-1 infection. This may be due to the effect of fenbendazole on the transcription of viral IE genes.
Immunosuppressant
Twitter and Facebook have been constructive tools for disseminating medical information; however, nonmedical individuals may inadvertently spread unproven and potentially dangerous information. The case of a patient with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer who self-administered the anthelmintic fenbendazole to treat her CEA-increasing tumor is a prime example of this.
Fenbendazole inhibits microtubule formation, similar to cytotoxic anticancer agents, but is also effective in treating gastrointestinal parasites. It has polymerization inhibitory effects on tubulin, one of the polymers that make up the cytoskeleton.
In the present study, MDBK cells were infected with BoHV-1 and treated with fenbendazole or DMSO. After 24 h of infection, the viral titer was determined. Fenbendazole did not affect the phosphorylation of PLC-g1 at S1248 and Akt at S473 stimulated by BoHV-1 infection.
Side Effects
Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic used to treat various intestinal parasites including nematodes. It works by interrupting the parasite’s energy metabolism, killing it over time. It also treats other helminths that affect dogs, including roundworms and hookworms.
A variety of studies have found that fenbendazole can decrease tumor growth and reduce vascularity in cancer cells. This effect is mediated by a disruption of microtubules and a reduction in glucose metabolism.
It is important to note that fenbendazole can cause serious side effects in some patients, especially those with liver or kidney disease. These patients have lower medication excretion rates, so the drug may build up in their systems and cause unwanted side effects. Ideally, people with these conditions should split their doses into 3 days on and 4 days off.fenbendazole capsules