Mebendazole, a drug already used, would in particular prevent the appearance of metastases, but it would have a beneficial effect at all stages of cancer.
- Pancreatic cancer represents 1.8% of cancers in France.
- Its survival rate is the lowest, compared to other cancers.
There are approximately 14,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer in France each year. This type of tumor is particularly aggressive, and its prognosis is poor because the cancer is often detected late. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the United States are offering new hope to people who have it. In the specialist journal Oncotarget, they explain that an antiparasitic treatment is effective in treating this cancer. Mebendazole has positive effects on the onset and progression of cancer, as well as the formation of metastases.
Effects on the tumor comparable to those observed on parasites
Gregory Riggins, professor of neurosurgery and oncology, and his team came to this conclusion by conducting experiments on mice. They genetically modified them to develop pancreatic cancer. Next, they tested the effects of mebendazole. This antiparasitic is usually used to fight against different types of parasites, by preventing the formation of tubulin, a compound present in cells. “The drug enters the parasite’s gut and collapses the tubulin, starving the parasite to deathexplain the researchers. The study shows that mebendazole may work similarly in pancreatic cancer by breaking down the structure of cancer cells, along with other mechanisms such as reducing inflammation.“
Future research on humans?
After these conclusive results on mice, the researchers want to continue their work on humans. “We believe that mebendazole can play a role at all stagessays the professor Riggins. It was particularly effective for pancreatic cancer which was caught earlyHe says the drug could be used at early stages to slow the growth of the cancer. In more advanced stages, it could help avoid surgery. French National Society of Gastroenterologysurgery is the main treatment for this type of cancer.
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