Application of a widely-used tropical anti-worm agent, mebendazole, in modern oncology

Abstract

© Pharmacotherapy Group. Although clinical trials have not been completed, it has already been confirmed that mebendazole, a well-known anti-parasitic drug widely used in the tropical areas, inhibits cancer cell growth. Preclinical studies show that mebendazole notably impedes the growth of malignant and metastatic tumors such as osteosarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma, melanoma, carcinoma (lung, colorectal, breast, ovarian, hepatocellular and adrenocortical), acute myeloid leukaemia, glioblastoma multiforme and meduloblastoma. Mebendazole can induce the depolymerization of microtubules in neoplasms and newly formed vasculature, stopping tumor growth and neoangiogenesis, along with other proposed mechanisms of action.