Fenbendazole, Mebendazole, and Ivermectin in Cancer Therapy: Mechanisms, Clinical Signals, and the Emerging Triple‑Drug Strategy (2026)
Abstract The antiparasitic agents fenbendazole, mebendazole and ivermectin have recently emerged as promising candidates for adjunctive cancer therapy due to their multifaceted anticancer mechanisms and favorable safety profiles. Fenbendazole and mebendazole, benzimidazole derivatives, exert antitumor effects primarily through microtubule disruption and metabolic interference, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Ivermectin, a macrocyclic lactone, complements these actions by inhibiting oncogenic signaling pathways such as STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin, and AKT/mTOR, while modulating immune responses. Recently, ivermectin has been investigated not only in dual combinations with benzimidazoles but also as part of a triple‑agent strategy involving fenbendazole and mebendazole to potentially enhance anticancer effects. Systematic reviews of publicly reported case data suggest temporal associations between this triple combination and tumor regression across diverse malignancies, although...