The nonprofit Cancer Research UK and PolitiFact both tell us there’s insufficient evidence to prove fenbendazole can cure cancer. In fact, the FDA told PolitFact that fenbendazole isn’t even approved for treating or preventing cancer. But that hasn’t stopped fenbendazole from becoming the centerpiece of “the Joe Tippens cancer protocol,” a treatment that claims to be a cure for all kinds of cancer.
Joe Tippens, an ex-cancer patient and entrepreneur, founded the company that manufactures a fenbendazole cancer treatment called AlphaZoX. His claims that the drug can cure all forms of cancer have gone viral, leading to a flurry of interest in the treatment. But is there any truth to the claim?
We investigated the cytotoxic effect of two commercial brands of fenbendazole, Panacur C and Safe-Guard 4, on 5-fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer cells. Cell viability was determined by cell counting, Western blotting, and flow cytometry assays. Our results show that both fenbendazole and its formulations exhibit potent cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cells, especially those resistant to conventional chemotherapy drugs.
Fenbendazole is an anthelmintic, meaning it’s used to kill parasites like pinworms, roundworms, lungworms, whipworms, and certain types of tapeworms in people and animals. It works by binding to and blocking the formation of microtubules, which give structure to all cells in living things. When cancer cells have fewer or broken microtubules, they cannot properly line up and divide during cell division (mitosis). This process is essential for the survival of most cancer cells, as they can no longer divide and grow as fast as normal cancer cells.
When fenbendazole binds to microtubules, it causes them to break apart. This prevents chromosomes from being evenly separated during mitosis, and as a result, cancer cells die. The same mechanism of action is already used by a number of existing cancer treatments, including methotrexate and doxorubicin.
The fenbendazole cancer treatment is designed to be taken orally, usually once a day for three days followed by four days of rest. The exact dose depends on the type of cancer a person has and is prescribed by a doctor.
Before taking fenbendazole, it’s important to understand the risks. This medication can be dangerous if taken by pregnant women or those with liver problems. In addition, if a patient takes a fenbendazole-containing medication and is not getting enough nutrition, the body may not be able to break down and use it correctly. Fenbendazole is also known to cause a rash in some patients. Other side effects include stomach upset, headaches, and tingling in the fingers or feet. fenbendazole cancer treatment