This article discusses a study that shows the potential effectiveness of using mebendazole for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer with brain metastasis.
The Challenge of TNBC and Brain Metastasis
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer.
Unlike other types, it does not have three key receptors:
These receptors are often the targets for many breast cancer treatments. Without them, patients with TNBC have fewer treatment options, mainly relying on chemotherapy and radiation.
One of the most challenging aspects of TNBC is its tendency to spread to the covering of the brain and spinal cord. A condition called leptomeningeal disease (LMD)
TNBC is more likely than other breast cancers to cause leptomeningeal disease.
LMD progresses quickly and makes the disease much harder to treat, highlighting the urgent need for better therapies.
Researchers have been exploring how mebendazole (MBZ), a medication commonly used to treat parasitic infections, might help address these challenges.
A study by Rodrigues et al., published in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology in May 2024, shows that mebendazole could fight TNBC brain metastases.
How Mebendazole Helps in TNBC Brain Metastases
The study by Rodrigues et al. investigated how MBZ could reduce the aggressive spread of TNBC in the brain. It combined lab experiments and animal models to explore how this drug works against TNBC brain metastases.
Key Findings
Why TNBC Spreads Easily
The researchers found that TNBC cells, especially a subtype called MDA-MB-231, are highly capable of migrating (or moving) compared to other breast cancer types. This ability to move makes it easier for TNBC to invade the brain and other parts of the CNS.
How MBZ Slows Cancer Cell Movement
In laboratory experiments, MBZ reduced the movement of TNBC cells. This means MBZ can interfere with how TNBC cells spread and invade new areas, like the brain.
Success in Animal Models
The researchers tested mebendazole in mice with brain metastases caused by TNBC cells. They gave the mice mebendazole orally at 50 or 100 mg/kg doses.
MBZ reduced the spread of cancer into the leptomeningeal space and slowed tumor growth. Notably, the treated mice survived longer than the untreated ones.
Selective Effectiveness
MBZ worked well on the highly invasive TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 but did not have the same effect on the less invasive breast cancer cell line MCF7.
This shows that MBZ’s effectiveness depends on the aggressive behavior of the cancer cells.
Safe and Accessible
MBZ was safe for the mice without harming their liver or kidneys. Tests also confirmed that mebendazole could reach the brain, which is critical for treating brain metastases.
Why Mebendazole Matters for TNBC Patients
This study suggests that MBZ can potentially become a valuable tool in treating TNBC brain metastases.
It can reduce the movement of aggressive cancer cells, slow the spread of cancer in the CNS, and extend survival in animal models.
What makes MBZ even more promising is that it’s an affordable, well-studied drug with a proven safety record.
Looking Forward
More research is needed to confirm how MBZ works in humans with TNBC brain metastases. However, the findings so far are promising.
If clinical trials are successful, mebendazole could become a simple and effective oral therapy to complement existing treatments for TNBC.
For patients and their families, mebendazole represents a glimmer of hope in the fight against one of the most challenging forms of breast cancer.
Its potential to slow down the spread of TNBC in the brain could significantly improve outcomes and offer new possibilities for managing this aggressive disease.
Recommended reading
Mebendazole: Repurposing Benzimidazoles As A Powerful New Weapon Against Cancer
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Reference:
Rodrigues AJ, Chernikova SB, Wang Y, Trinh TTH, Solow-Cordero DE, Alexandrova L, Casey KM, Alli E, Aggarwal A, Quill T, Koegel AK, Feldman BJ, Ford JM, Hayden-Gephart M. Repurposing mebendazole against triple-negative breast cancer CNS metastasis. J Neurooncol. 2024 May;168(1):125-138. doi: 10.1007/s11060-024-04654-x. Epub 2024 Apr 2. PMID: 38563850; PMCID: PMC11093727.
Image credit: Meningeal carcinomatosis By Hellerhoff – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28004508
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