What information is available regarding the effects and latest findings on Ivermectin, Fenbendazole, and Mebendazole?
Ivermectin, fenbendazole, and mebendazole are traditionally broad-spectrum antiparasitic (anthelmintic) agents. According to available scientific literature, mebendazole and related benzimidazole compounds have also been investigated in recent years in drug repurposing research for antitumour purposes: they inhibit the microtubule system and glucose uptake, have demonstrated antitumour activity in preclinical models, and a limited number of clinical and case reports are known regarding their human use. At the same time, live registries do not contain registered clinical trials matching the search for these agents.
Benzimidazole-class formulations, particularly mebendazole and albendazole, exert their effects by inhibiting tubulin polymerisation and microtubule function, which inhibits glucose uptake. In preclinical in vitro and in vivo models, antitumour activity has been observed in liver, lung, ovarian, prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer, as well as in melanoma, among others, and human case reports have also described antitumour effects.
In veterinary and parasitological research, all three compounds (ivermectin, fenbendazole, mebendazole) are widely used against various nematodes and tissue parasites; however, according to the latest surveys, resistance to benzimidazoles and in some cases to ivermectin is emerging to an increasing degree across multiple animal species.
References
- Faecal egg count reduction tests and nemabiome analysis reveal high frequency of multi-resistant parasites on sheep farms in north-east Germany involving multiple strongyle parasite species. PMID 38733882
- Efficacy of Fenbendazole and Ivermectin against <i>Trichuris</i> spp. in African Green Monkeys (<i>Chlorocebus sabaeus</i>) in Barbados West Indies. PMID 33972010
- Albendazole and Mebendazole as Anti-Parasitic and Anti-Cancer Agents: an Update. PMID 34218593
- Duration of anthelmintic effect of three formulations of ivermectin (oral, injectable and pour-on) against multiple anthelmintic-resistant haemonchus contortus in sheep. PMID 17237985