Anthelmintic Flubendazole and Its Potential Use in Anticancer Therapy

Abstract

Flubendazole is a widely used anthelmintic drug belonging to benzimidazole group. The molecular mechanism of action of flubendazole is based on its specific binding to tubulin, which results in disruption of microtubule structure and function, and in the interference with the microtubule-mediated transport of secretory vesicles in absorptive tissues of helminths. The microtubule-disrupting properties of benzimidazole derivatives raised recently interest in these compounds as possible anti-cancer agents. In this minireview flubendazole effects towards selected human malignant cells including myeloma, leukemia, neuroblastoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and melanoma are discussed along with basic data on its pharmacokinetics, metabolism and toxicity.