From the Guidelines
Mebendazole is not recommended as a treatment for colon cancer due to the lack of clinical evidence supporting its efficacy in this context. The current standard adjuvant treatment for colon cancer consists of fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, which has been shown to result in a statistically significant survival benefit 1. Options for adjuvant treatment include infusional 5-FU/LV regimens and capecitabine, with capecitabine being at least as effective as, and less toxic than, bolus 5-FU/LV 1.
Some key points to consider in the treatment of colon cancer include:
- The use of fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, such as 5-FU/LV plus oxaliplatin, which significantly improves disease-free survival in stage II and III colon cancer and overall survival in stage III colon cancer 1
- The importance of follow-up tests, including colonoscopy, ultrasonography of the liver, CT scan of the chest and abdomen, and CEA determination, to identify patients in need of salvage surgery or palliative care and to prevent second colorectal cancers 1
- The lack of evidence supporting the use of mebendazole in the treatment of colon cancer, with current evidence being primarily preclinical or limited to case reports and small studies
In clinical practice, the focus should be on established treatments with proven efficacy, such as fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, rather than unproven therapies like mebendazole. Patients interested in alternative or adjunctive therapies should consult their oncologists, as clinical trials are ongoing to better establish the efficacy and optimal dosing of various treatments for colorectal cancer.
From the Research
Evidence for Mebendazole in Colon Cancer Treatment
- Mebendazole has shown promise as a treatment for colon cancer, with studies demonstrating its ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis 2, 3.
- In vitro and in vivo studies have found that mebendazole exhibits anticancer activity against colon cancer cells, with IC50 values indicating its potency 2.
- Mebendazole has been shown to be more selective than doxorubicin in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, suggesting its potential as a targeted therapy 2.
- Clinical studies have investigated the safety and efficacy of mebendazole in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer, with results indicating that it is well-tolerated but may require individualized dosing 4.
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that mebendazole enhanced tumor response to treatment and improved progression-free survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer 5.
Mechanisms of Action
- Mebendazole has been found to inhibit tubulin polymerization, angiogenesis, and pro-survival pathways, which are involved in tumor progression 3.
- Mebendazole has also been shown to synergize with ionizing radiation and chemotherapeutic agents, and stimulate antitumoral immune response 3.
Clinical Implications
- Mebendazole may represent a promising candidate for drug repositioning in the treatment of colon cancer, particularly in combination with other therapies 3, 5.
- Further studies are needed to confirm the clinical anti-neoplastic activity of mebendazole and its safety in combination with other drugs 3, 4.