Are Antiparasitic Drugs a Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment?

05/01/2025

Are antiparasitic drugs effective in all types of cancer?

Over the past few years, antiparasitic drugs such as Ivermectin and Fenbendazole have gained the attention of medical science for exhibiting anticancer properties. Both drugs, Ivermectin and Fenbendazole, are primarily used for the management of various worm diseases, including ascariasis, hookworm, and filariasis. These drugs work function to degenerate the inner and outer lining associated with the intestinal tracts of these parasites, which, as a result, leads to their death. Their mechanism of action has also been shown to affect cancer cells, resulting in apoptosis and inhibiting cell growth. Let’s unlock the scene behind it.

Studies into these antiparasitic drugs have expanded their traditional uses, helping scientists to examine their potential for various conditions. Ivermectin is a promising drug for treating viral infections, including some strains of influenza and dengue fever. However, multiple studies are also examining its potential in cancer treatment, especially for leukemia and breast cancer. On the contrary, Fenbendazole is being studied worldwide for its antitumor properties and ability to elevate the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.

Ivermectin and Fenbendazole are also being analyzed for their neuroprotective effects to know their potential to treat neurogenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Ivermectin:

This antiparasitic drug, named ivermectin, was initially used for humans in the year 1987 to deal with onchocerciasis caused by the blackfly-transmitted parasite Onchocerca volvulus. Since its first use for Onchocerca, it has dramatically improved the well-being, nutrition, and general health of myriad masses. It has also shown its effectiveness as an anticancer drug in many studies and clinical trials. It encourages cell arrest, diminishes drug resistance, and stimulates apoptosis in cancer cells. This medication has been seen as effective for a wide range of cancers, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer, in a multitude of studies. The medication has also been tested in immune-deficient mice as of now. However, the outcomes suggest that the antitumor effects of this drug can also be seen in real patients.

Fenbendazole:

Fenbendazole is effective in treating worm infections, schistosome infections, liver abscesses, hepatic amoebiasis, and filariasis. It functions by affecting the permeability of the cell membrane, thereby destroying the worms. This medication got the attention of the world in August 2016 as a potential anti-cancer treatment after the complete recovery of Joe Tippens, who was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. Back then, Joe Tippens participated in a clinical trial for a new anti-cancer drug. Under the supervision of the veterinarian, Joe began to take 222mg of Fenbendazole along with Vitamin E supplement, CBD oil, and bioavailable curcumin.

After three months of treatment, a PET scan disclosed no detectable cancer cells in Tippens's body. Among all 1100 clinical trial patients, Joe Tippens was the only patient who fought the cancer. The story of Tippens is compelling; it is still considered an anecdotal report. This, as a result, highlights the importance of more clinical trials and studies to prove the efficacy of Fenbendazole as an anticancer drug.

The anticancer effects of this drug have been researched in multiple cell lines, exhibiting anti-cancer effects for various cancers. In addition to this, Fenbendazole has displaced effectiveness for 5-FU, paclitaxel, and docetaxel-resistant cancer cells. Fenbendazole was seen as more effective against 5-FU-resistant colorectal cells than albendazole, possibly due to glycolysis interference.

Note:

None of the above-mentioned drugs have been approved to treat any cancer. If you are diagnosed with any cancer, you must consult your doctor to find the right course of action based on your specific cancer type, medical history, stage of the cancer, and other factors. Vast clinical research is yet needed to prove the efficacy of these drugs for any cancer.

Currently available treatments for cancer:

Existing cancer treatments can help patients to live a longer life despite all hurdles. The prime goal of cancer treatment is to slow down or halt the progression of the disease. Still, things are more complex than you think. There are more than 200 types of cancer, and each one demands a distinct approach. Which treatment aligns with your health depends on a multiple range of factors such as type of cancer, stage of cancer, age, gender, family history, etc.

Before suggesting any individual or a combination treatment, a thorough analysis of your health will be carried out.  Despite years of intensive research and studies, it is one of the leading causes of death, unfortunately.  Let’s dig into the available treatment options and their efficacy:

Surgery:

The primary purpose of surgery is to eliminate all the cancer cells along with surrounding healthy tissues.  Post-surgery, the pathologist examines the healthy tissue to make sure no cancer cells are present. Surgery is considered one of the effective methods for cancer that hasn’t yet spread to other parts. It also seems efficient in sending cancer into remission, meaning there are no clear signs and symptoms of cancer. However, it heavily relies on the removal of the entire tumor. Surgery may be ineffective if the tumor is present in a vital organ or is attached to major blood vessels. Unfortunately, surgery is not the apt option for blood cancers or cancers that have spread to another part.

Radiation therapy:

It is a process wherein high doses of radiation are used to eradicate cancerous tumors.  The radiation emitted by the machines kills the cancer cells by breaking them down. The following are the common types of radiation therapy:

• External beam radiation therapy

• Internal radiation therapy

• Hyperthermia therapy

Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy is another prevalent method that uses chemotherapy drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs pass through your bloodstream in order to destroy fast-growing cells. In some cases, less common types of chemotherapy drugs are administered to the part of the body with cancer cells.

You are prescribed to take chemo in combination with other drugs. You may have to take different drugs after receiving one chemo drug. Chemotherapy is considered effective for cancer that has spread to other parts and is likely to return.

Hormone therapy:

Hormone therapy functions by inhibiting or diminishing the hormones that facilitate cancer cell growth. Some cancer cells grow faster in the presence of sex hormones, for instance, estrogen and androgens. If your medic assumes that your cancer may respond to such hormones, they will closely look at cells for sites where hormones can easily bind. If you are living with HR+ cancer, you may be suggested this type of cancer treatment. The following are treated with hormone therapy: prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gynecological cancers.

Immunotherapy:

The primary role of your immunotherapy is to support your immune system in recognizing and killing cancer cells in the body. A healthy immune system is good at identifying threats and demolishing them on its own. Cancer cells usually grow because they can easily hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy is highly effective in stopping cancer cells from evading the body's natural defenses.

It is often used in combination with other cancer therapies in order to combat advanced and recurrent cancer. Research into future cancer treatments is centralized on new immunotherapy options.

Clinical trials:

A clinical trial comes out as a study that works to examine the safety and effectiveness of new cancer breakthroughs. Current cancer treatment options and medications were also a part of clinical trials before they were made available.

You might be suggested to participate in clinical trials if available treatment options are ineffective or can’t be utilized for any reason. They may think newer treatment may be a great option due to the growing research on your specific cancer type.

Limitations of current cancer treatments:

Available cancer treatments are improving survival rates significantly but can also result in an array of challenges for families and patients. The challenges caused by these cancer treatments may include:

Exorbitant treatment costs:

Cancer treatment doesn’t drain you mentally and physically but financially, too. In most countries, cancer treatments are way too expensive and may cost lifelong savings, which, as a result, become the hurdle in receiving adequate and proper treatment. The increase in the prices of cancer treatment is another challenge for the medical community to combat.

Long-term effects:

Some forms of cancer treatments, such as surgery and radiation, may have long-term side effects that surface after years of completing the treatment. These long-term side effects may consist of heart problems, lung problems, bone loss, cognitive changes, reproductive difficulties, etc. Such outcomes of cancer treatments may affect the overall quality of your life, and these effects may take months or years to appear.

Drug resistance:

Drug resistance is another issue reported by the medical professional, which makes treating cancer more challenging. Cancer cells may develop resistance to chemotherapy, which, as a result, makes the drug less effective. It is a phenomenon wherein cancer cells become insensitive to the effects of drugs used to destroy them, which increases the chances of recurrence.

Effects on mental health:

Cancer diagnosis and treatment can be highly emotionally and mentally distressing for both families and patients, which may cause anxiety, depression, and many other health complications. Therefore, in such times, you need to be mentally and emotionally strong to get through it easily. If you are unable to manage it alone, it is okay to seek support from doctors, friends, or family.

Conclusion

Being diagnosed with cancer can be terrifying and life-threatening. However, there is a plethora of treatments available that can help to enhance survival rates and manage some cancers. There are more than 100 types of distinct cancers, each needing different options. Some cancers are highly curable if caught early, while others may be too difficult to treat. Scientists have been working tirelessly to curate advanced drugs to manage cancers more effectively. Many new drugs, including ivermectin and Fenbendazole, are in the phase of research and clinical trials. These drugs need to pass through strict medical trials and guidelines before they are used as anticancer drugs.