Fenben lab fenbendazole is an antiparasitic agent widely used in many animal species including dogs, cats, and rabbits. It acts by inhibiting the polymerization of tubulin, a component of microtubules that are important for cell morphology and structure. Microtubules are also the target of cytotoxic anticancer agents including vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vinorelbine, and vindesine) and taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel).
Fenbendazole also exhibits antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to determine whether a combination of fenbendazole and supplemented vitamins affects the growth of a human lymphoma cell line in SCID mice. Treatment diets were initiated 2 wk prior to subcutaneous flank implantation of 3 x 107 lymphoma cells. Tumor size was measured by caliper at 4 d intervals until the largest tumor reached a volume of 1500 mm3. Neither vitamin supplementation alone nor fenbendazole affected the rate of tumor growth. However, a significant synergistic effect of fenbendazole and vitamin supplementation was observed.
During the cell cycle, cyclin B1 binds to CDK1 and initiates the mitotic progression from G2 into anaphase. Inhibition of tubulin polymerization by fenbendazole induces anaphase catastrophe and blocks cell-cycle progression. This is mediated by the inhibition of the phosphorylation and activation of CDK1 and cyclin B1. To determine the effect of fenbendazole on mitotic progression, A549 cells were synchronized by serum starvation for 48 h and treated with 1 uM FZ. During anaphase, the level of cyclin B1/CDK1 was monitored by phospho-specific antibodies and western blot. Fenbendazole treatment significantly elevated the levels of cyclin B1/CDK1 at an early time point as compared to controls, indicating that it accelerates the progression from G2 into anaphase.fenben lab fenbendazol