Fenbendazole has garnered attention within the cancer community, particularly in South Korea, due to anecdotal reports of cancer patients using it as an alternative treatment. Most notably, a case involving a businessman, Joe Tippens, whose lung cancer was reportedly cured after self-administering fenbendazole alongside supplements, has sparked widespread interest. It's worth noting that Joe omitted the fact that he was participating in a clinical trial for pembrolizumab when he claimed to be cured by fenbendazole.
Drug Repurposing
Drug repurposing, or reprofiling, is an appealing strategy in oncology as it accelerates drug development by utilizing existing drugs with known safety profiles. This approach can expedite the availability of new treatments by bypassing some of the costly and time-consuming steps of traditional drug development. Several antiparasitic drugs, including mebendazole (MBZ) and albendazole (ABZ), have been investigated for their anticancer potential. Fenbendazole is another promising candidate due to its affordability, wide availability, and established safety in humans and animals.
Mechanism of Action
Fenbendazole's anticancer mechanism is related to its ability to disrupt microtubule dynamics, much like other anticancer drugs that target tubulin, such as vinblastine and paclitaxel. By binding to beta-tubulin, fenbendazole inhibits microtubule polymerization, leading to apoptosis in cancer cells. This activity is particularly effective in actively dividing cells.
In cancer cells, fenbendazole also affects glucose metabolism by downregulating key glycolytic enzymes and GLUT transporters, thus limiting glucose uptake, which is crucial for cancer cell survival. Furthermore, fenbendazole induces oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to cancer cell death.
Preclinical Studies and Anticancer Activity
Several preclinical studies have demonstrated fenbendazole's anticancer activity across various cancer types, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), lymphoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. These studies show that fenbendazole can induce apoptosis and disrupt multiple signaling pathways involved in cell survival, such as PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, and MAPK. Additionally, fenbendazole has been shown to enhance the effects of other anticancer drugs, such as paclitaxel.
However, despite its potential, fenbendazole’s poor pharmacokinetic properties, such as its low bioavailability, limit its systemic effectiveness. This has led to the need for further investigation into ways to enhance its bioavailability in humans.
Self-Administration and Controversy
The rise in popularity of fenbendazole as an alternative cancer treatment has been driven largely by anecdotal reports shared through social media. Joe Tippens’ case, where he reported a complete recovery from lung cancer after using fenbendazole, has been particularly influential, prompting cancer patients in South Korea and elsewhere to self-administer the drug without medical supervision.
This self-administration trend has sparked controversy, with medical professionals warning against the unregulated use of fenbendazole due to the lack of clinical trials in humans. Reports of adverse effects, such as liver injury in patients using fenbendazole, have further fueled concerns. Despite these warnings, many cancer patients continue to use the drug, hoping for similar outcomes to those reported in anecdotal cases.
Liver Injury Case
A case report highlighted the potential risks of self-administering fenbendazole. An 80-year-old NSCLC patient experienced severe liver injury after taking fenbendazole for one month based on social media recommendations. The patient was also undergoing treatment with pembrolizumab, and the liver injury improved after discontinuing fenbendazole.
The Korean Phenomenon
The popularity of fenbendazole in South Korea has been notable. Since September 2019, when Tippens' story was shared on a South Korean YouTube channel, interest in the drug has surged. Despite warnings from medical associations, many terminally ill patients have turned to fenbendazole, and vet pharmacies have reported shortages of the drug due to high demand from cancer patients.
The controversy escalated when public figures, including a South Korean comedian, Kim Chul-Min, endorsed fenbendazole after claiming that it helped alleviate his cancer symptoms. However, Kim later reported severe side effects and passed away, further complicating the debate around the drug’s use.
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