09/01/2026
NEW ARTICLE: MEBENDAZOLE in Ovarian Cancer - How does it work? New 2025 Paper from Indian Researchers - 7 mechanisms including a brand new one
MY TAKE…
This study identifies at least 7 ways that Mebendazole acts on Ovarian Cancer cells, including a brand new mechanism never before identified, showing how much we still have to learn:
1. Anti-Proliferation
MBZ stops cancer cells from growing better than cisplatin
Both drugs slowed down cell growth, but MBZ was 3–4 times stronger (needed much less drug to get the same effect).
2. Anti-Metastasis
MBZ stops cancer from spreading
MBZ did this by messing up the cells’ “skeleton” (actin and microtubules), blocking enzymes (MMP-9) that help cancer eat through tissue, and reversing a process called EMT that makes cells more mobile and aggressive.
3. Anti Cancer Stem Cells
Cancer stem cells are special cancer cells that act like seeds — they regrow tumors and resist treatment.
MBZ blocked expression of Cancer Stem Cell markers, lowering the # of Cancer Stem Cells that can develop
4. Cell Cycle Arrest
MBZ freezes cells in a vulnerable stage and kills them
It trapped cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle (right before they divide), making them easier to kill.
5. Damage to Mitochondria and 6.Apoptosis
MBZ damaged the cancer cells’ power plants (mitochondria)
Process is called mitochondrial membrane potential disruption
This triggered apoptosis (programmed cell death) - detected by higher levels of “kill signals” like Bax, cleaved caspases and lower survival signals
7. Inhibition of NF-kB (Novel mechanism)
MBZ blocks a key survival pathway (NF-κB and related signals)
NF-κB is a master switch that helps cancer cells grow, spread, resist chemo, and hide from the immune system.
MBZ turned this pathway off, including a protein called Girdin that boosts it — this appears to be a new way MBZ fights cancer.
KEY POINT:
Oncologists don’t read new research.
That’s why they are so ignorant about new possibilities, and the potential of repurposed drugs.
This paper came out in 2025.
Every Oncologist should know it.
I bet you not a single one does! 😉