Mebendazole's Power: A New Weapon Against Aggressive Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive form of breast cancer that accounts for approximately 10-15% of all breast cancer cases. It is characterized by the absence of three key receptors commonly found in other types of breast cancer:

The lack of these receptors means that TNBC does not respond to hormonal therapies or drugs that target these receptors, which are effective in other breast cancer subtypes.

This makes TNBC particularly challenging to treat and manage.

Epidemiology and Impact of TNBC

TNBC disproportionately affects younger women, particularly those under the age of 50, and has a higher prevalence among African American and Hispanic women.

The disease is associated with a more aggressive clinical course, higher rates of recurrence, and poorer overall survival compared to other types of breast cancer.

Due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options, TNBC has become a critical focus of research aimed at finding more effective therapies.

Current Treatment Challenges

Standard treatment for TNBC typically involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

While chemotherapy can be initially effective, many patients experience relapse due to the development of drug resistance.

The absence of targeted therapies further underscores the urgent need for novel and more effective treatment strategies for TNBC.

What is Mebendazole?

Mebendazole is a well-known anti-parasitic drug widely used for decades to treat helminth infections, such as pinworms, roundworms, and hookworms.

It is included in the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines due to its efficacy, safety, and low cost.

Mebendazole disrupts the microtubules of parasitic worms, impairing their ability to absorb glucose, ultimately leading to their death.

Mebendazole as an Anti-Cancer Agent

In recent years, growing evidence has emerged to suggest that mebendazole may have significant anti-cancer properties.

Studies have shown that mebendazole can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), and disrupt tumor growth in various cancer types, including brain, lung, colon, and ovarian cancers.

The mechanisms underlying these effects appear to extend beyond its anti-parasitic action and involve several cancer-specific pathways:

Microtubule Disruption

Mebendazole disrupts microtubules in cancer cells, similar to its effect on parasitic worms. Microtubules are essential for cell division, and their disruption prevents cancer cells from proliferating.

2. Angiogenesis Inhibition

Mebendazole has been shown to block the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) that tumors need to grow and metastasize.

3. Induction of Apoptosis

Mebendazole activates signaling pathways that promote apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death that removes damaged or unwanted cells.

This selectively targets malignant cells while sparing healthy ones, making it a crucial mechanism in cancer treatment.

4. Overcoming Drug Resistance

Some studies suggest that mebendazole may enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapies or work synergistically with other drugs to overcome resistance.

These findings have led to increasing interest in repurposing mebendazole as a cost-effective and accessible adjunct or alternative to existing cancer therapies.

Researchers are now exploring its potential, specifically in treating aggressive cancers like TNBC, where new therapeutic options are desperately needed.

Mebendazole and TNBC

A 2021 study published in the journal Molecules by Choi et al. evaluated the anticancer effects of benzimidazole derivatives, including mebendazole (MBZ), on TNBC and radiotherapy-resistant TNBC (RT-R-TNBC) both in vitro and in vivo.

In vitro: Experiments conducted in a controlled environment outside a living organism, such as in a test tube or petri dish.
In vivo: Studies conducted within a living organism, such as animal models.

This research focused on understanding how mebendazole influences cancer progression and resistance to treatment.

The study treated several cancer cell lines, including MDA-MB-231 and RT-R-MDA-MB-231, along with allograft mice models, using six benzimidazole derivatives, including mebendazole.

Results

The results showed that MBZ significantly:

Mebendazole caused DNA damage and stopped cancer cells from dividing, which slowed tumor growth by arresting the cell cycle.
It reduced the levels of key cancer stem cell markers CD44 and OCT3/4, which are essential for starting and maintaining tumor growth.
The drug lowered the levels of ESM-1, made it harder for the cancer to spread.

These findings highlight MBZ’s potential to inhibit the growth and spread of TNBC cells, including those resistant to radiotherapy.

No significant toxicity

Importantly, MBZ achieved these effects without causing significant toxicity to liver or kidney function in animal models, underscoring its safety profile.

Mebendazole Gives Hope To Women With Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Conclusion

This study reinforces the growing body of evidence that mebendazole may be a promising therapeutic option for managing TNBC, particularly in overcoming treatment resistance.

By targeting critical pathways involved in cancer progression and stem cell marker expression, MBZ represents a potential avenue for addressing the urgent need for more effective treatments for TNBC.

Future research and clinical trials will be pivotal in determining how MBZ can be integrated into standard care for TNBC patients.

Recommended reading

Mebendazole: Repurposing Benzimidazoles As A Powerful New Weapon Against Cancer

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Reference:

Choi HS, Ko YS, Jin H, Kang KM, Ha IB, Jeong H, Song HN, Kim HJ, Jeong BK. Anticancer Effect of Benzimidazole Derivatives, Especially Mebendazole, on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and Radiotherapy-Resistant TNBC In Vivo and In Vitro. Molecules. 2021 Aug 24;26(17):5118. doi: 10.3390/molecules26175118. PMID: 34500557; PMCID: PMC8433818.

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Mebendazole’s Power: A New Weapon Against Aggressive Breast Cancer

What is Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)?