DR. WALKER

Mebendazole and Cancer

Mebendazole is an anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) medication originally used to treat parasitic infections caused by certain types of worms, particularly intestinal worms. Mebendazole acts by inhibiting the production of microtubules by binding to colchicine binding-site of β-tubulin and collapses the tubulin, starving the parasite to death. As tubulin is both a micro-skeleton of the inner cell and a highway for transport, it can impair uptake of glucose by the larval and adult stages of the susceptible parasites, and deplete their glycogen. Essentially, mebendazole works by cutting off the parasites’ supply of nutrition, and inhibits the formation of tubulin. Some researchers and medical professionals draw parallels between cancer and parasitic infections. One report suggests that mebendazole may have utility as a therapy after initial treatment to prevent tumor recurrence in the 15% to 20% of some cancers, like pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The study shows that mebendazole may act similarly in pancreatic cancer by collapsing cancer cells’ structure, along with other mechanisms such as reducing inflammation. Mebendazole is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Which Cancers is Mebendazole, Considered Helpful With?

Mebendazole has been studied for its use in treating certain cancers.
 Colorectal Cancer: Colorectal cancer (CRC) refers to cancer that develops in the colon or rectum, parts of the large intestine. It typically begins as small, noncancerous clumps of cells known as polyps, which can eventually become cancerous over time. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer globally and can affect both men and women, though some risk factors may predispose certain populations. The most common type is adenocarcinoma, which originates in the glandular cells of the colon or rectum. Other types include carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), and lymphomas. Some studies have shown that people with colorectal cancer have shown tumor responses including slower disease progression.

 Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the ovaries, which are the female reproductive organs responsible for producing eggs (ova) and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer is often referred to as a "silent" disease because its symptoms may be vague and can easily be mistaken for other conditions, leading to late-stage diagnoses in many cases. Epithelial ovarian cancer are the most common type, arising from the surface (epithelial) cells of the ovary. It includes several subtypes, such as serous, mucinous, and endometrioid tumors. Research has shown some promise in using mebendazole in combination with other therapies to treat ovarian cancer. Mebendazole has been shown to inhibit growth of ovarian cancer cell cultures at nanomolar concentrations and reduce orthotopic implantation of tumor fragments.

 Neuroblastoma: Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that primarily affects children, most commonly developing in the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It can also arise in nerve tissue along the spine, chest, abdomen, or pelvis. Neuroblastoma originates from neuroblasts, which are immature nerve cells that normally develop into a mature nervous system. This cancer is most frequently diagnosed in children under the age of 5, and it is one of the most common solid tumors in pediatric patients. Mebendazole has been investigated for its effects on neuroblastoma.

 Other Solid Tumors: Solid tumors are abnormal masses of tissue that can occur in various parts of the body and are characterized by the proliferation of cells that form a solid mass, as opposed to liquid tumors, which are typically found in the blood and bone marrow (such as leukemias). Solid tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and they may arise from different types of cells within various tissues and organs. There are ongoing studies exploring the efficacy of mebendazole against various solid tumors, including certain types of sarcomas.

Mechanism of Action in Cancer

Mebendazole's potential anti-cancer effects are thought to be due to several mechanisms, including:
Inhibition of Microtubule Formation: Mebendazole disrupts microtubule formation, which is essential for cell division. This disruption can lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (programmed cell death).

Anti-angiogenic Properties: Mebendazole may inhibit the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) that tumors need to grow and metastasize.

Inhibition of Microtubule Formation: Mebendazole seem to disrupt the formation of microtubules in cancer cells, which is crucial for cell division and proliferation.

Induction of Apoptosis: Mebendazole may promote programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells.

Anti-angiogenic Effects: Some studies suggest that mebendazole may inhibit the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow.

Mechanisms by which mebendazole may exert anti-tumor effects include:

 Cellular Behavior: Cancer cells exhibit behaviors similar to those of parasites. They can invade surrounding tissues, consume nutrients, and evade the immune system, much like how parasites invade a host, exploit resources, and often avoid detection by the host's immune defenses.

 Host Manipulation: Cancers can manipulate their host environment to promote their own growth, similar to how parasites can alter their host's physiology to enhance their own survival. For instance, tumors can secrete signals that promote blood vessel growth to ensure a sufficient blood supply.

 Chronic Inflammation: Some cancers are associated with chronic inflammation, which can create an environment conducive to cancer growth. This is analogous to how some parasitic infections can cause chronic inflammatory responses in the host.

 Evolutionary Perspective: From an evolutionary standpoint, cancer can be viewed as a breakdown of normal cellular regulation, where cells start to behave in ways that prioritize their own survival and proliferation over the health of the organism. This behavior can resemble that of parasites that thrive at the expense of their hosts.

 Microbiome Interactions: Emerging research on the microbiome suggests that certain microbial imbalances may contribute to cancer development in a way that resembles how parasites can influence disease states.

Dosage and Administration

The dosage may vary depending on the type of infection and the patient's age. For most infections, a single dose is often sufficient, but in some cases, repeated doses may be necessary. Mebendazole is best taken with fatty meals (eg, salmon, trout, walnut, pistachio, etc). Fatty meals help your body absorb the medicine better.

Low-grade cancers:

Mebendazole: Dose of 200 mg/day (Dobrosotskaya, et al., 2011).
Intermediate-grade cancers:
Mebendazole:Dose of 400 mg/day (Chai, et al., 2021).
High-grade cancers:
Mebendazole dose of 1,500 mg/day (Son, et al., 2020) or Fenbendazole 1,000 mg 3x per week (Chiang, et al., 2021).

Side Effects

Mebendazole is generally well-tolerated, but some possible side effects include:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Allergic reactions (rare)

References:

Johns Hopkins Study: Anti-Parasitic Drug Slows Pancreatic Cancer in Mice | Johns Hopkins Medicine
How can mebendazole or fenbendazole help you? What the research says - CancerChoices
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mebendazole-oral-route/description/drg-20064631
https://isom.ca/article/targeting-the-mitochondrial-stem-cell-connection-in-cancer-treatment-a-hybrid-orthomolecular-protocol/