Mebendazole vs. Fenbendazole
For many years, scientists have been researching the anti-cancer benefits of benzimidazole anthelminthics, like mebendazole. The activity against gliomas was initially discovered accidentally when scientists noticed that mice, that were being treated with fenbendazole for pinworm infections, showed a resistance to the glioma grafts they were given. In other words, when the mice were taking fenbendazole, their bodies rejected the tumors that were injected into them! As astounding as this is, subsequent research showed much better performance with mebendazole and albendazole. Shortly after, two different studies showed extended survival in GBM animal models, up to a 63% increase in the average survival time.
In comparison, survival was not significantly increased in the animals treated with fenbendazole. This is probably due to low bioavailability and the fact that it does not cross the blood brain barrier well and therefore, cytotoxic doses do not accumulate near the cancer cells.
Previous cell studies show mebendazole inhibits glioma cells through disrupting microtubule formation. The drug binds to tubulin and prevents mitosis in the cancer cells. Subsequent animal and human studies have corroborated this. We do NOT have the same supporting data with fenbendazole!!
Mebendazole has become difficult to get because the price skyrocketed after the initial animal studies were conducted. However, it is possible to have a generic form of the drug compounded by a compounding pharmacy. For those with primary brain cancers or cancers that are prone to form brain metastases, mebendazole is preferred to buying fenbendazole over the counter.
