Popular social media sites discuss and often recommend using “alternative” cancer treatments instead of, or in addition to “approved” treatments. As many as 70% of cancer patients take some type of supplement or additional treatment and the majority of patients do not communicate this information to their treating oncologist. Research suggests that the majority of cancer patients taking “alternative” medicines actually have worse outcomes.1
Inquiries about the potential for Fenben (brand names: Panacure, Safe-Guard) to treate cancer are increasing on Cancer Connect and other social media platforms. Twitter, Facebook, and Tik Tok Social networking sites have made it easy for non-medical individuals to disseminate misleading complex medical information, often with associated patient testimonials but never with supportive clinical data or clinical trial outcomes.
What is “Fenben”?
Fenbendazole (methyl N-(6-phenylsulfanyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) carbamate) “Fenben” is a benzimidazole compound that has demonstrated antiparasitic activity in various animal studies.2-4 Fenben exerts parasitic killing activities by binding to β-tubulin microtubule subunits and disrupting polymerization.2 Researchers evaluating benzimidazole anthelmintic agents in a laboratory setting, have reported activity against cancers resistant to conventional therapies and an in vitro study demonstrated that fenbendazole may be a potential alternative treatment in 5-fluorouracil-resistant cancer cells. Currently no studies have been reported in humans and it remains unknown if “fenben” can be effectively used in humans, what side effects it may cause, or even what an appropriate dose might be.
A recently reported case of a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who obtained information on the antitumor activity of fenbendazole via social media has been published. This 80-year-old female patient with advanced NSCLC was started on Keytruda (pembrolizumab) immunotherapy – a standard FDA approved treatment for NSCLC, then the patient self-administered fenbendazole orally and subsequently experienced severe liver injury 9 months later.5
An interview with her and her family revealed that she had been taking fenbendazole for a month based on social media reports suggesting its effectiveness against cancer and had not shared this information with her oncologist. Following discontinuation of the self-administration of fenbendazole, the patient’s liver dysfunction did resolve and there was no evidence of the cancer responding to the treatment.
Sources of medical information on Facebook, Tik Tok, and Twitter are often unproven, and unreferenced and it is difficult for non-medical professionals to accurately select and filter complex medical information. Physicians should always inquire about patients’ use of self-administered orally ingested products, including dietary supplements, herbs, or bioactive compounds, especially in cases of unexpected adverse reactions.
What should patients do?
- Discuss alternative therapies with your doctor to make sure they don’t interfere with proven conventional therapies.
- Think carefully before declining proven conventional therapies to pursue unproven therapies.
- Do research on alternative therapies before using them; they have often been studied, and reports on their effectiveness or lack thereof already exist.
- View your doctor as your partner in determining the best treatment and keep him/her informed with regard to what you are doing.
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Connect With Others for Support and information
Cancer Connect was the first social network created for people with cancer. Founded by oncologists to support cancer patients and their caregivers, over 40 million individuals have accessed Cancer Connect programs since 1997. Cancer Connect is used by leading cancer centers including Dana Farber to support their patients. Join the conversation, ask questions, share your experience, and learn how the best cancer centers are treating cancer from others. Share your experience, ask a question, or start a conversation by posting on Cancer Connect.
References:
- Risberg T, Vickers A, Bremnes RM, et al. Does use of alternative medicine predict survival from cancer
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36039738/
- Gull K, Dawson PJ, Davis C, Byard EH. Microtubules as target organelles for benzimidazole anthelmintic chemotherapy. Biochem Soc Trans 1987 Feb;15.
- https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0150059
- https://karger.com/cro/article/14/2/886/820730/Drug-Induced-Liver-Injury-in-a-Patient-with
