Overview

Drug repurposing is quickly becoming one of the most popular trends in healthcare today. Aside from cutting research and development costs considerably, these “old drugs” are safe and efficient. One of these drugs is albendazole. 

Albendazole’s primary use is for treating neurocysticercosis, a disease in the nervous system caused by pork tapeworms. In addition, it is also effective in treating cystic hydatid disease in the peritoneum, lungs, and liver. It is highly effective in eliminating dog tapeworm, which causes the infection.

Recently, doctors discovered albendazole’s potential in treating cancer. It contains anti-cancer properties that are potentially effective in treating terminal cancer cases. This blog post will highlight albendazole’s mode of action, side effects, and benefits. So, if you’re ready to learn more interesting facts about this drug, let’s start our discussion below. 

Mode of Action

Albendazole’s antiparasitic mechanism restricts glucose uptake. It also efficiently disrupts sugar metabolism in cancer cells, inducing cell apoptosis. The albendazole microtubule-targeting agent (MTA) causes mitotic arrest in tumors and  inducing apoptosis. It effectively disrupts microtubule development. Albendazole forms bundles of short microtubules that develop along the edges of the cells. In fact, MTAs are class of  drugs currently used in chemotherapy. Albendazole can induce apoptosis by restricting the glucose metabolism pathway or targeting microtubules to exert anti-cancer activity.

Studies say albendazoles increase apoptosis-related signals by inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. 

In human leukemia U937 cells, albendazoles increase MAPK phosphorylation and upregulate TNF-α expression. The same pathway is seemingly involved in the albendazole-induced death of HL-60 cells. Moreover, most cancer cells generate ATP using accelerated glycolysis rates. Glucose lactates instead of metabolizing by oxidative phosphorylation, even when oxygen is abundant. 

The latest research indicates that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) plays a crucial role. Generally, under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1α maintains the survival requirements of cancer cells by regulating the expression of a series of glycolytic enzymes. It also binds to the vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) gene promoter to induce VEGF expression and angiogenesis. Therefore, HIF-1α is becoming an increasingly popular therapeutic target in cancer treatment. It is encouraging that albendazole significantly inhibited the expression of HIF-1α in non-small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer.

Benefits

Research institutions conducted phase 1 clinical trials to detect albendazole’s tolerated dose for advanced cancer patients. Thirty-six patients with refractory solid tumors showed that the ideal dosing should be 1200 mg 2x a day for 14 days in a 21-day cycle. In addition, myelosuppression is the principal dose-limiting toxicity.

RECIST study’s criteria confirmed that 4 out of 24 patients with assessable tumor markers showed a decrease of more than 50%. Another patient experienced a significant reduction in tumor markers and extended periods of stable diseases.

Phase I Clinical Trial Summary 

Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated albendazole dosing of oral albendazole in patients with advanced cancer.

Date: February 2010

Patients and Methods: 

Thirty-six patients with refractory solid tumors. Albendazole was given orally on days 1-14 within a three-weekly cycle. The dosing starts with a 400 mg BD with dose escalation until 1,200 mg BD. Serial blood samples were collected for up to 96 h and on day eight within the cycles of 1 & 4.

Results: 

• Maximum tolerated dose: 2,400 mg per day (1,200 BD). 
• Primary dose-limiting toxicity: Myelosuppression
• Adverse effects: Fatigue and mild gastrointestinal upset.
• Four of twenty-four assessable patients (16%) had a tumor marker response with a decrease of 50% from baseline values. 
• Another patient had an extended period of stable marker response.
• A decline in plasma vascular endothelial growth factor levels was observed.

Conclusions:  

The majority of the clinical trials showed promising results. Albendazole is potentially effective against cancers. In addition, patients experience minimal side effects like low blood cells, fatigue, and gastrointestinal upset. All of which can be controlled with dosing reduction. 

Therefore, albendazole treatment is relatively safe. 

Treat Cancer with Albendazole and Improve Your Quality of Living

We understand the challenges of living with cancer. That’s why we’re here for you every step of the way. The Institute of Integrative BioOncology provides safe and efficient treatment for cancer using off-label medicine. 

Dr. Paul Zhang specializes in evidence-based integrative cancer care management. His proven treatment methods improved the lives of many of patients. 

Call us today to schedule an appointment. Dial 713-797-1900.