Fenbendazole, also known as mebendazole, is a medication used to treat parasitic infections. It is not FDA-approved to treat cancer in humans. Some peer-reviewed studies have signaled that fenbendazole might be able to treat some types of cancer, but those results have not been replicated. Two federal agencies told PolitiFact that there is no research that supports the claim that fenbendazole can cure cancer.

A widely shared Facebook post claimed that a dog dewormer drug called fenbendazole can cure human cancer and that it’s part of the Joe Tippens Cancer Protocol. The claim prompted a number of people to contact their doctors about taking the drug, which is typically prescribed for parasitic worms and other infections.

But doctors have not found that fenbendazole has the potential to kill cancer cells, and it would not be safe to substitute for traditional treatments. A medical professional can help a patient understand how cancer works and the best treatment options for them, but it’s not appropriate for patients to replace established treatments with unproven therapies.

According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, fenbendazole (methyl N-(6-phenylsulfanyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) carbamate) is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic approved for use in many species. The researchers tested if this anti-parasitic medication could also be an effective cancer therapy.

Researchers found that fenbendazole inhibited the growth of cancer cells and caused them to die in the laboratory. This effect was attributed to the ability of the drug to disrupt microtubules and interfere with glucose uptake by cancer cells. Moreover, it was found that the drug was also able to cause apoptosis and ferroptosis in the cancer cells and reduced autophagy.

The scientists found that fenbendazole was effective against 5-fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5 cells, which are commonly resistant to other chemotherapy drugs. This was attributed to the fact that fenbendazole was able to bypass resistance to the anticancer drug by altering its mechanism of action.

In a focus group interview, 21 cancer patients were asked about their knowledge and perceptions regarding fenbendazole and its role in treating their disease. Participants were asked to answer a semi-structured questionnaire with three categories: (1) the channel of information they received about fenbendazole and general cancer, (2) the quality of the information they obtained about the medicine, and (3) their perceptions toward this treatment.fenbendazole cancer treatment

In general, a physician should always be consulted before taking any alternative supplements or medications, even those that have been shown to have benefits in the lab. Some of these treatments may interact with prescription medications and lead to harmful side effects. For example, some supplements can increase the risk of bleeding or low blood platelet levels when taken with chemotherapeutic agents like irradiation and certain antibiotics. Talk to your doctor about whether a supplement or other alternative therapy may be appropriate for you. They can advise you about how to safely add these treatments to your existing treatment regimen. They can also refer you to a specialist if necessary.