The use of fenbendazole in the treatment of cancer in humans has been a subject of increasing interest in recent research. Here’s a summary based on the available scientific literature:
- Synergistic Anti-Cancer Effect with Paclitaxel: A study by Sung and Joo (2021) found that fenbendazole, when used in combination with paclitaxel, exhibited a synergistic anti-cancer effect on HL-60 cells. This suggests that fenbendazole may have potential as a treatment for cancer in humans (Jihye Sung & H. Joo).
- Enhanced Anticancer Effects with Nanoparticles: Research by Esfahani et al. (2022) showed that β-lactoglobulin-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with fenbendazole improved the water solubility and enhanced the anticancer effects of fenbendazole against human prostate cancer cells. These nanoparticles demonstrated higher cytotoxicity, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and inhibited the migration of cancer cells compared to fenbendazole alone (Maedeh Koohi Moftakhari Esfahani et al.).
- Anti-Cancer Activity in Human Leukemia Cells: A study by Yong Han and H. Joo (2020) suggested that fenbendazole exhibits anti-cancer activity in human leukemia cells (HL-60 cells) through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This finding indicates a potential therapeutic application of fenbendazole in human cancer treatment (Yong Han & H. Joo).
- Cytotoxicity to Human Cancer Cells: Dogra et al. (2018) observed that fenbendazole, a benzimidazole compound, has cytotoxicity to human cancer cells at micromolar concentrations. The study highlighted fenbendazole’s effect on multiple cellular pathways leading to the elimination of cancer cells, suggesting its evaluation as a therapeutic agent (N. Dogra, Ashok Kumar, & T. Mukhopadhyay).
It’s important to note that while these studies provide promising insights into the potential use of fenbendazole in cancer treatment, more research, particularly clinical trials, is necessary to establish its efficacy and safety in humans.