Mebendazole

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Colony formation, proliferation and caspase assays with intracranial human meningioma implants in mice

exposure

Mebendazole alone and combined with radiation

limitations

A combination study in one meningioma line and one implanted model. The mechanism is inferred from immunohistochemistry rather than dissected.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human cells and mouse

plain_language

Added to radiation it killed more tumour cells than radiation alone.

primary_references

[mbz-p30414098] Mebendazole and radiation in combination increase survival through anticancer mechanisms in an intracranial rodent model of malignant meningioma. (2018). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30414098/ DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-03009-7

tissue_or_cell_type

Malignant meningioma

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 563–574

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Colony formation, proliferation and caspase assays with intracranial human meningioma implants in mice · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-adds-to-radiation In meningioma cell lines the half-maximal inhibitory concentration for mebendazole was 0.26 to 0.42 micromolar, mebendazole alone induced cytotoxicity but the combination with radiation gave a greater reduction in colony formation and higher levels of cleaved caspase-3, and in mice implanted intracranially with human meningioma both mebendazole alone and the combination gave a survival benefit with increased apoptosis and decreased tumour cell and vascular proliferation. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Added to radiation it killed more tumour cells than radiation alone. organism: Human cells and mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Malignant meningioma experimental_model: Colony formation, proliferation and caspase assays with intracranial human meningioma implants in mice limitations: A combination study in one meningioma line and one implanted model. The mechanism is inferred from immunohistochemistry rather than dissected. exposure: Mebendazole alone and combined with radiation evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/30414098.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "34445c01e56a2bfa33e4d1118f86c291fab041b15fa08da37592f4ec92d81400", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1743, "text_sha256": "34445c01e56a2bfa33e4d1118f86c291fab041b15fa08da37592f4ec92d81400"} [mbz-p30414098] Mebendazole and radiation in combination increase survival through anticancer mechanisms in an intracranial rodent model of malignant meningioma. (2018). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30414098/ DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-03009-7

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/28386621.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "20ef610d6b4a341f8a0a3f731bbea5477badbee517062c303bbf1075f3a29865", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1788, "text_sha256": "20ef610d6b4a341f8a0a3f731bbea5477badbee517062c303bbf1075f3a29865"}

experimental_model

Concentration-matched comparison of viability, microtubule polymerisation and metaphase arrest, with NCI COMPARE analysis and a head-to-head animal comparison against vincristine

exposure

Mebendazole against vincristine close to its maximum tolerated dose in orthotopic GL261 tumours

limitations

Tests whether the anticancer effect is the microtubule effect by matching concentrations across three assays, which most repurposing studies do not do.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Mouse

plain_language

Against brain tumours in mice it beat the microtubule drug already in clinical use, which cannot get into the brain.

primary_references

[mbz-p28386621] Repurposing Mebendazole as a Replacement for Vincristine for the Treatment of Brain Tumors. (2017). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28386621/ DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2017.00011

tissue_or_cell_type

Glioblastoma

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 511–522

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Concentration-matched comparison of viability, microtubule polymerisation and metaphase arrest, with NCI COMPARE analysis and a head-to-head animal comparison against vincristine · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-beats-vincristine Comparing therapeutic efficacy against GL261 orthotopic tumours, mebendazole showed a significant increase in animal survival time whereas vincristine, even at a dose close to its maximum tolerated dose, failed to show any efficacy; vincristine does not penetrate well into brain tumour tissue and displays dose-limiting toxicities including peripheral neuropathy. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Against brain tumours in mice it beat the microtubule drug already in clinical use, which cannot get into the brain. organism: Mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Glioblastoma experimental_model: Concentration-matched comparison of viability, microtubule polymerisation and metaphase arrest, with NCI COMPARE analysis and a head-to-head animal comparison against vincristine limitations: Tests whether the anticancer effect is the microtubule effect by matching concentrations across three assays, which most repurposing studies do not do. exposure: Mebendazole against vincristine close to its maximum tolerated dose in orthotopic GL261 tumours evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/28386621.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "20ef610d6b4a341f8a0a3f731bbea5477badbee517062c303bbf1075f3a29865", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1788, "text_sha256": "20ef610d6b4a341f8a0a3f731bbea5477badbee517062c303bbf1075f3a29865"} [mbz-p28386621] Repurposing Mebendazole as a Replacement for Vincristine for the Treatment of Brain Tumors. (2017). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28386621/ DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2017.00011

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7388055.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "5613d7fb281b4fd39b17bfdbafaf0ea823fb63b928048a9dd112fb71bf4cd2b7", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1209, "text_sha256": "5613d7fb281b4fd39b17bfdbafaf0ea823fb63b928048a9dd112fb71bf4cd2b7"}

experimental_model

Inhibition of tritiated colchicine binding to cytosolic tubulin from 8-day Ascaris suum embryos and from bovine brain

exposure

Mebendazole and fenbendazole compared on the two tubulins in the same assay

limitations

The founding selectivity result. It measures embryonic tubulin; the study in this collection that measured intestinal tubulin found a far smaller difference.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Nematode and cattle

plain_language

It does not even bind the two tubulins the same way: it competes with colchicine on ours and not on the worm’s.

primary_references

[mbz-p7388055] Interaction of anthelmintic benzimidazoles with Ascaris suum embryonic tubulin. (1980). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7388055/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4165(80)90431-6

tissue_or_cell_type

Embryonic nematode tubulin and bovine brain tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 108–119

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Inhibition of tritiated colchicine binding to cytosolic tubulin from 8-day Ascaris suum embryos and from bovine brain · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-binding-mode-differs Inhibition of colchicine binding to Ascaris suum embryonic tubulin by mebendazole and fenbendazole appeared to be noncompetitive, whereas the same compounds appeared to be competitive inhibitors of colchicine binding to bovine brain tubulin. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: It does not even bind the two tubulins the same way: it competes with colchicine on ours and not on the worm’s. organism: Nematode and cattle tissue_or_cell_type: Embryonic nematode tubulin and bovine brain tubulin experimental_model: Inhibition of tritiated colchicine binding to cytosolic tubulin from 8-day Ascaris suum embryos and from bovine brain limitations: The founding selectivity result. It measures embryonic tubulin; the study in this collection that measured intestinal tubulin found a far smaller difference. exposure: Mebendazole and fenbendazole compared on the two tubulins in the same assay evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7388055.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "5613d7fb281b4fd39b17bfdbafaf0ea823fb63b928048a9dd112fb71bf4cd2b7", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1209, "text_sha256": "5613d7fb281b4fd39b17bfdbafaf0ea823fb63b928048a9dd112fb71bf4cd2b7"} [mbz-p7388055] Interaction of anthelmintic benzimidazoles with Ascaris suum embryonic tubulin. (1980). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7388055/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4165(80)90431-6

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7126419.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "7b69c414a01f82e177ec37b4f362337caf7327e294a13c97d299e9a7ae80a456", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 381, "text_sha256": "7b69c414a01f82e177ec37b4f362337caf7327e294a13c97d299e9a7ae80a456"}

experimental_model

Tracer study of tritiated mebendazole given intravenously and orally to one man

exposure

A 1.7 microgram tracer dose by each route

limitations

A single subject and a tracer dose far below any therapeutic amount, so the bioavailability figure is a lower bound on the problem rather than a population value.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

Swallowed, roughly one sixth of the drug reaches the bloodstream.

primary_references

[mbz-p7126419] The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of mebendazole in man: a pilot study using [3H]-mebendazole. (1982). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7126419/ DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1982.tb02008.x

tissue_or_cell_type

Whole body

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 407–418

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Tracer study of tritiated mebendazole given intravenously and orally to one man · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-bioavailability-17-percent Following intravenous administration of a 1.7 microgram tracer dose of tritiated mebendazole to a man an elimination half-life of 1.16 hours was observed with a volume of distribution of 2.03 litres per kilogram, after oral administration of the same dose the elimination half-life was 0.74 hours, and the bioavailability of mebendazole from the solution was found to be 17%. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Swallowed, roughly one sixth of the drug reaches the bloodstream. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Whole body experimental_model: Tracer study of tritiated mebendazole given intravenously and orally to one man limitations: A single subject and a tracer dose far below any therapeutic amount, so the bioavailability figure is a lower bound on the problem rather than a population value. exposure: A 1.7 microgram tracer dose by each route evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7126419.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "7b69c414a01f82e177ec37b4f362337caf7327e294a13c97d299e9a7ae80a456", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 381, "text_sha256": "7b69c414a01f82e177ec37b4f362337caf7327e294a13c97d299e9a7ae80a456"} [mbz-p7126419] The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of mebendazole in man: a pilot study using [3H]-mebendazole. (1982). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7126419/ DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1982.tb02008.x

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1553749.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "4c8ca680cbc4ebd8441d3d8c083a98587c81141280e9fa61388751264f1ea2ac", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1384, "text_sha256": "4c8ca680cbc4ebd8441d3d8c083a98587c81141280e9fa61388751264f1ea2ac"}

experimental_model

Rat embryo midbrain and limb bud micromass cultures assessed for differentiation and cytotoxicity

exposure

Mebendazole, thiabendazole, nocodazole and colchicine, compared with albendazole

limitations

An in vitro developmental toxicity screen. It links the effect to the mammalian tubulin binding directly, by showing the potency order matches; it is not a pregnancy outcome.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Rat

plain_language

The very property that makes it a cancer drug candidate is the property that makes it a suspected developmental toxin.

primary_references

[mbz-p1553749] Effects of benzimidazole analogs on cultures of differentiating rodent embryonic cells. (1992). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1553749/ DOI: 10.1016/0041-008x(92)90019-o

tissue_or_cell_type

Embryonic midbrain and limb bud cells

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 602–613

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Rat embryo midbrain and limb bud micromass cultures assessed for differentiation and cytotoxicity · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-developmental-toxicity-is-the-same-target The relative potencies of the benzimidazole analogs in rat embryo micromass culture, nocodazole greater than mebendazole approximately equal to albendazole much greater than thiabendazole, mirrored their effectiveness in an assay for in vitro inhibition of mammalian tubulin polymerization, immunofluorescent staining with a monoclonal antibody to beta-tubulin revealed that these agents elicited mitotic arrest, and with the exception of thiabendazole these agents should be considered potential developmental toxicants since they inhibit cell growth and differentiation at nanomolar concentrations. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The very property that makes it a cancer drug candidate is the property that makes it a suspected developmental toxin. organism: Rat tissue_or_cell_type: Embryonic midbrain and limb bud cells experimental_model: Rat embryo midbrain and limb bud micromass cultures assessed for differentiation and cytotoxicity limitations: An in vitro developmental toxicity screen. It links the effect to the mammalian tubulin binding directly, by showing the potency order matches; it is not a pregnancy outcome. exposure: Mebendazole, thiabendazole, nocodazole and colchicine, compared with albendazole evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1553749.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "4c8ca680cbc4ebd8441d3d8c083a98587c81141280e9fa61388751264f1ea2ac", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1384, "text_sha256": "4c8ca680cbc4ebd8441d3d8c083a98587c81141280e9fa61388751264f1ea2ac"} [mbz-p1553749] Effects of benzimidazole analogs on cultures of differentiating rodent embryonic cells. (1992). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1553749/ DOI: 10.1016/0041-008x(92)90019-o

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/9736529.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "ee7cd2a364b52ba75f6f19da6935c7311ae80f514a223a50b17dbd6bbaf929d4", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1053, "text_sha256": "ee7cd2a364b52ba75f6f19da6935c7311ae80f514a223a50b17dbd6bbaf929d4"}

experimental_model

Fungal beta-tubulin expressed as a maltose binding protein fusion, assayed by gel filtration

exposure

Benzimidazole and phenylcarbamate binding to wild-type and Glu198Gly fusion protein

limitations

The first direct confirmation by binding assay that benzimidazoles bind beta-tubulin itself. It is a fusion protein rather than native tubulin, which the authors address by the internal consistency of the two ligand classes.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Fungus

plain_language

The drug really does stick to this protein, and the mutation that resists it loosens the grip.

primary_references

[mbz-p9736529] Fungal beta-tubulin, expressed as a fusion protein, binds benzimidazole and phenylcarbamate fungicides. (1998). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9736529/ DOI: 10.1128/aac.42.9.2171

tissue_or_cell_type

Beta-tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 316–327

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Fungal beta-tubulin expressed as a maltose binding protein fusion, assayed by gel filtration · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-direct-binding-and-glu198 Expressing beta-tubulin as a fusion with maltose binding protein produced a soluble protein and confirmed for the first time using a gel filtration assay that benzimidazoles indeed bind to beta-tubulin, with binding reduced by the mutation glutamate 198 to glycine which also confers resistance, while binding of phenylcarbamates was the complete opposite, reflecting their biological activity and the negative cross-resistance. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The drug really does stick to this protein, and the mutation that resists it loosens the grip. organism: Fungus tissue_or_cell_type: Beta-tubulin experimental_model: Fungal beta-tubulin expressed as a maltose binding protein fusion, assayed by gel filtration limitations: The first direct confirmation by binding assay that benzimidazoles bind beta-tubulin itself. It is a fusion protein rather than native tubulin, which the authors address by the internal consistency of the two ligand classes. exposure: Benzimidazole and phenylcarbamate binding to wild-type and Glu198Gly fusion protein evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/9736529.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "ee7cd2a364b52ba75f6f19da6935c7311ae80f514a223a50b17dbd6bbaf929d4", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1053, "text_sha256": "ee7cd2a364b52ba75f6f19da6935c7311ae80f514a223a50b17dbd6bbaf929d4"} [mbz-p9736529] Fungal beta-tubulin, expressed as a fusion protein, binds benzimidazole and phenylcarbamate fungicides. (1998). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9736529/ DOI: 10.1128/aac.42.9.2171

availability_state

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/3692093.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "dd4fb3feac1314a99fa05d5d06bd35a25350bcfed9e8570a1b0c5dc702e835b1", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 379, "text_sha256": "dd4fb3feac1314a99fa05d5d06bd35a25350bcfed9e8570a1b0c5dc702e835b1"}

experimental_model

Case report of hepatitis after mebendazole treatment with serial serum concentrations

exposure

Mebendazole treatment for multiple hepatic hydatid cysts

limitations

A single case. The correlation between drug concentration and cytolysis within one patient is what distinguishes a direct toxic effect from hypersensitivity, and hypersensitivity features were absent.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

The liver damage tracked the drug level rather than looking like an allergy, which points at the drug itself.

primary_references

[mbz-p3692093] Hepatotoxicity of mebendazole. Relationship with serum concentrations of the drug. (1987). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3692093/

tissue_or_cell_type

Liver

trigger_kind

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 641–652

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Case report of hepatitis after mebendazole treatment with serial serum concentrations · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-dose-related-hepatotoxicity In a 47-year-old woman with multiple hydatid cysts of the liver in whom hepatitis developed after mebendazole treatment, clinical manifestations of hypersensitivity were absent and a correlation was found between serum mebendazole concentrations and the degree of cytolysis, which is compatible with a direct hepatotoxic effect of mebendazole. Condition category: biomarker_context nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The liver damage tracked the drug level rather than looking like an allergy, which points at the drug itself. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Liver experimental_model: Case report of hepatitis after mebendazole treatment with serial serum concentrations limitations: A single case. The correlation between drug concentration and cytolysis within one patient is what distinguishes a direct toxic effect from hypersensitivity, and hypersensitivity features were absent. exposure: Mebendazole treatment for multiple hepatic hydatid cysts evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/3692093.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "dd4fb3feac1314a99fa05d5d06bd35a25350bcfed9e8570a1b0c5dc702e835b1", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 379, "text_sha256": "dd4fb3feac1314a99fa05d5d06bd35a25350bcfed9e8570a1b0c5dc702e835b1"} [mbz-p3692093] Hepatotoxicity of mebendazole. Relationship with serum concentrations of the drug. (1987). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3692093/

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/3564338.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "89495a42e9f41cac9010e20e925b802c27fde1dfac9a4a24dd2236335f4d61b1", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 818, "text_sha256": "89495a42e9f41cac9010e20e925b802c27fde1dfac9a4a24dd2236335f4d61b1"}

experimental_model

Correlation of Haemonchus contortus egg hatch inhibition with inhibition of mammalian tubulin polymerisation

exposure

Benzimidazole carbamates tested in both assays

limitations

A correlation rather than a demonstration of mechanism in the egg, and the hatch assay was sensitive to co-solvent concentration and incubation time.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Nematode and mammal

plain_language

The compounds that block tubulin are the ones that stop eggs hatching, and the ones that do not, do not.

primary_references

[mbz-p3564338] Comparison of inhibition of polymerisation of mammalian tubulin and helminth ovicidal activity by benzimidazole carbamates. (1987). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3564338/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4017(87)90029-x

tissue_or_cell_type

Nematode eggs and mammalian tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 212–223

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Correlation of Haemonchus contortus egg hatch inhibition with inhibition of mammalian tubulin polymerisation · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-egg-hatch-tracks-tubulin Benzimidazole carbamates with strong inhibitory activity against mammalian tubulin were potent inhibitors of Haemonchus contortus egg hatch while non-inhibitors failed to prevent hatching, supporting the view that the primary mode of action of these drugs on nematode eggs is inhibition of microtubule-dependent processes within the developing egg. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The compounds that block tubulin are the ones that stop eggs hatching, and the ones that do not, do not. organism: Nematode and mammal tissue_or_cell_type: Nematode eggs and mammalian tubulin experimental_model: Correlation of Haemonchus contortus egg hatch inhibition with inhibition of mammalian tubulin polymerisation limitations: A correlation rather than a demonstration of mechanism in the egg, and the hatch assay was sensitive to co-solvent concentration and incubation time. exposure: Benzimidazole carbamates tested in both assays evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/3564338.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "89495a42e9f41cac9010e20e925b802c27fde1dfac9a4a24dd2236335f4d61b1", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 818, "text_sha256": "89495a42e9f41cac9010e20e925b802c27fde1dfac9a4a24dd2236335f4d61b1"} [mbz-p3564338] Comparison of inhibition of polymerisation of mammalian tubulin and helminth ovicidal activity by benzimidazole carbamates. (1987). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3564338/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4017(87)90029-x

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/6712717.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "dc6664076b62c0da221cce8e34690f297828b832da76857a2cc12cf9769fb282", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 949, "text_sha256": "dc6664076b62c0da221cce8e34690f297828b832da76857a2cc12cf9769fb282"}

experimental_model

In vitro polymerisation of tubulin purified from Ascaridia galli and from mammalian tissue, with electron microscopy

exposure

Colchicine and a range of anthelmintic benzimidazoles on both tubulins

limitations

Adds electron microscopy, which shows the drug reduces the number and length of microtubules without making abnormal ones. Purified protein rather than intact parasite.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Nematode and mammal

plain_language

The microtubules that do form look normal; there are simply fewer and shorter ones.

primary_references

[mbz-p6712717] A comparison of the interaction of anthelmintic benzimidazoles with tubulin isolated from mammalian tissue and the parasitic nematode Ascaridia galli. (1984). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6712717/ DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(84)90515-x

tissue_or_cell_type

Purified tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 173–184

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · In vitro polymerisation of tubulin purified from Ascaridia galli and from mammalian tissue, with electron microscopy · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-fewer-not-abnormal Colchicine and a range of anthelmintic benzimidazoles inhibited in vitro polymerisation of tubulin purified from Ascaridia galli more than that purified from mammalian tissue, with oxfendazole and thiabendazole having virtually no effect on mammalian tubulin assembly while both inhibited nematode tubulin, and electron microscopy revealed no morphological differences between microtubules polymerised with or without drug although their length and number were reduced. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The microtubules that do form look normal; there are simply fewer and shorter ones. organism: Nematode and mammal tissue_or_cell_type: Purified tubulin experimental_model: In vitro polymerisation of tubulin purified from Ascaridia galli and from mammalian tissue, with electron microscopy limitations: Adds electron microscopy, which shows the drug reduces the number and length of microtubules without making abnormal ones. Purified protein rather than intact parasite. exposure: Colchicine and a range of anthelmintic benzimidazoles on both tubulins evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/6712717.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "dc6664076b62c0da221cce8e34690f297828b832da76857a2cc12cf9769fb282", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 949, "text_sha256": "dc6664076b62c0da221cce8e34690f297828b832da76857a2cc12cf9769fb282"} [mbz-p6712717] A comparison of the interaction of anthelmintic benzimidazoles with tubulin isolated from mammalian tissue and the parasitic nematode Ascaridia galli. (1984). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6712717/ DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(84)90515-x

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/21764822.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "31b328d5c2340f7a4e9b6a3b3d46c68a8c0265c50d483375bc6dc15bb1696ad6", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1210, "text_sha256": "31b328d5c2340f7a4e9b6a3b3d46c68a8c0265c50d483375bc6dc15bb1696ad6"}

experimental_model

Cell line cytotoxicity, tubulin polymerisation and syngeneic and xenograft orthotopic mouse glioma models

exposure

Mebendazole compared with fenbendazole, at doses documented as safe in humans

limitations

The observation that started the programme was serendipitous, from pinworm treatment of laboratory animals. Mouse models, and the survival gain is a mean rather than a cure.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human cells and mouse

plain_language

The worm drug killed brain tumour cells at low concentrations and let mice live substantially longer.

primary_references

[mbz-p21764822] Antiparasitic mebendazole shows survival benefit in 2 preclinical models of glioblastoma multiforme. (2011). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21764822/ DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nor077

tissue_or_cell_type

Glioblastoma

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 485–496

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Cell line cytotoxicity, tubulin polymerisation and syngeneic and xenograft orthotopic mouse glioma models · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-glioma-cytotoxicity In glioblastoma cell lines mebendazole displayed cytotoxicity with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 micromolar, disrupted microtubule formation in those cells with in vitro activity correlated with reduced tubulin polymerization, and significantly extended mean survival by up to 63% in syngeneic and xenograft orthotopic mouse glioma models; the programme began with the serendipitous observation that fenbendazole, used to treat pinworm infection, inhibited brain tumour engraftment. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The worm drug killed brain tumour cells at low concentrations and let mice live substantially longer. organism: Human cells and mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Glioblastoma experimental_model: Cell line cytotoxicity, tubulin polymerisation and syngeneic and xenograft orthotopic mouse glioma models limitations: The observation that started the programme was serendipitous, from pinworm treatment of laboratory animals. Mouse models, and the survival gain is a mean rather than a cure. exposure: Mebendazole compared with fenbendazole, at doses documented as safe in humans evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/21764822.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "31b328d5c2340f7a4e9b6a3b3d46c68a8c0265c50d483375bc6dc15bb1696ad6", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1210, "text_sha256": "31b328d5c2340f7a4e9b6a3b3d46c68a8c0265c50d483375bc6dc15bb1696ad6"} [mbz-p21764822] Antiparasitic mebendazole shows survival benefit in 2 preclinical models of glioblastoma multiforme. (2011). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21764822/ DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nor077

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/25376612.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "fa6b6f06dfda62c5f1cc59df64f813c5d112f8d6a3bf969c6fa4432073a87ec0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1290, "text_sha256": "fa6b6f06dfda62c5f1cc59df64f813c5d112f8d6a3bf969c6fa4432073a87ec0"}

experimental_model

Hedgehog reporter and medulloblastoma cell growth assays with Smoothened mutant lines

exposure

Mebendazole at clinically attainable concentrations, alone and with vismodegib

limitations

Proposes a second mechanism which is still microtubule-based, through the primary cilium. Cell assays; the claim that the concentrations are clinically attainable is the authors’.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human cells

plain_language

It blocks this growth pathway by removing the little antenna the pathway needs, so mutations that defeat the standard drug do not defeat it.

primary_references

[mbz-p25376612] Repurposing the antihelmintic mebendazole as a hedgehog inhibitor. (2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25376612/ DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0755-t

tissue_or_cell_type

Medulloblastoma

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 537–548

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Hedgehog reporter and medulloblastoma cell growth assays with Smoothened mutant lines · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-hedgehog-through-the-cilium Mebendazole potently inhibited hedgehog signalling and slowed the growth of hedgehog-driven human medulloblastoma cells at clinically attainable concentrations, suppressed formation of the primary cilium, a microtubule-based organelle that functions as a signalling hub for pathway activation, and its inhibition was unaffected by mutants in the gene encoding human Smoothened that are selectively propagated in clones surviving vismodegib, with the combination of vismodegib and mebendazole giving additive inhibition. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: It blocks this growth pathway by removing the little antenna the pathway needs, so mutations that defeat the standard drug do not defeat it. organism: Human cells tissue_or_cell_type: Medulloblastoma experimental_model: Hedgehog reporter and medulloblastoma cell growth assays with Smoothened mutant lines limitations: Proposes a second mechanism which is still microtubule-based, through the primary cilium. Cell assays; the claim that the concentrations are clinically attainable is the authors’. exposure: Mebendazole at clinically attainable concentrations, alone and with vismodegib evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/25376612.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "fa6b6f06dfda62c5f1cc59df64f813c5d112f8d6a3bf969c6fa4432073a87ec0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1290, "text_sha256": "fa6b6f06dfda62c5f1cc59df64f813c5d112f8d6a3bf969c6fa4432073a87ec0"} [mbz-p25376612] Repurposing the antihelmintic mebendazole as a hedgehog inhibitor. (2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25376612/ DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0755-t

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/33506200.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "ab5f2c1d14ccb7fa9f690201326bdbfcab3e07758bc78b76ff9adec2ca774ec6", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1712, "text_sha256": "ab5f2c1d14ccb7fa9f690201326bdbfcab3e07758bc78b76ff9adec2ca774ec6"}

experimental_model

Single-centre dose-escalation and safety study in 24 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma

exposure

Oral mebendazole at 25, 50, 100 and 200 milligrams per kilogram per day with adjuvant temozolomide, with trough plasma levels at 4, 8 and 16 weeks

limitations

The only human oncology record here. It is a single-arm dose-escalation and safety study without a control group, so the survival figures cannot be read as efficacy.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

At the highest dose one patient in six developed liver enzyme rises that reversed on stopping.

primary_references

[mbz-p33506200] Mebendazole and temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas: results of a phase 1 clinical trial. (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33506200/ DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa154

tissue_or_cell_type

Brain

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 576–587

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Single-centre dose-escalation and safety study in 24 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-human-dose-escalation In 24 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma given mebendazole with adjuvant temozolomide, four patients at 200 milligrams per kilogram per day developed elevated grade 3 alanine aminotransferase or aspartate transaminase after one month which reversed with lower dosing or discontinuation, plasma levels were variable but generally increased with dose, and mebendazole at doses up to 200 milligrams per kilogram demonstrated long-term safety and acceptable toxicity. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: At the highest dose one patient in six developed liver enzyme rises that reversed on stopping. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Brain experimental_model: Single-centre dose-escalation and safety study in 24 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma limitations: The only human oncology record here. It is a single-arm dose-escalation and safety study without a control group, so the survival figures cannot be read as efficacy. exposure: Oral mebendazole at 25, 50, 100 and 200 milligrams per kilogram per day with adjuvant temozolomide, with trough plasma levels at 4, 8 and 16 weeks evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/33506200.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "ab5f2c1d14ccb7fa9f690201326bdbfcab3e07758bc78b76ff9adec2ca774ec6", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1712, "text_sha256": "ab5f2c1d14ccb7fa9f690201326bdbfcab3e07758bc78b76ff9adec2ca774ec6"} [mbz-p33506200] Mebendazole and temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas: results of a phase 1 clinical trial. (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33506200/ DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa154

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/3617430.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "addd86672cc2c829b72354c05387892908f94c49f81e1236e372432c68a622fe", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 589, "text_sha256": "addd86672cc2c829b72354c05387892908f94c49f81e1236e372432c68a622fe"}

experimental_model

Inhibition assays on purified cytoplasmic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase from three helminths

exposure

Albendazole, parbendazole, mebendazole and thiabendazole on purified enzyme extracts

limitations

A competing target claim. Enzyme inhibition percentages in purified extracts do not establish that this happens at therapeutic concentrations in a living parasite.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Helminth

plain_language

A rival account: the drug jams an enzyme of the worm’s sugar metabolism, and mebendazole does it hardest.

primary_references

[mbz-p3617430] Inhibition of malate dehydrogenase enzymes by benzimidazole anthelmintics. (1987). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3617430/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4017(87)90048-3

tissue_or_cell_type

Ascaris suum, Fasciola hepatica and Moniezia expansa

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 238–249

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Inhibition assays on purified cytoplasmic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase from three helminths · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-inhibits-malate-dehydrogenase Of four benzimidazole anthelmintics tested on purified cytoplasmic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase from Ascaris suum, Fasciola hepatica and Moniezia expansa, mebendazole exhibited the highest percentage inhibitions, and the authors conclude that cytoplasmic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase regulating glycogen synthesis are the sites of mebendazole inhibitory activity while the sites for the other anthelmintics remain unclear. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: A rival account: the drug jams an enzyme of the worm’s sugar metabolism, and mebendazole does it hardest. organism: Helminth tissue_or_cell_type: Ascaris suum, Fasciola hepatica and Moniezia expansa experimental_model: Inhibition assays on purified cytoplasmic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase from three helminths limitations: A competing target claim. Enzyme inhibition percentages in purified extracts do not establish that this happens at therapeutic concentrations in a living parasite. exposure: Albendazole, parbendazole, mebendazole and thiabendazole on purified enzyme extracts evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/3617430.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "addd86672cc2c829b72354c05387892908f94c49f81e1236e372432c68a622fe", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 589, "text_sha256": "addd86672cc2c829b72354c05387892908f94c49f81e1236e372432c68a622fe"} [mbz-p3617430] Inhibition of malate dehydrogenase enzymes by benzimidazole anthelmintics. (1987). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3617430/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4017(87)90048-3

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/8010090.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "581715173f3b7176eda8a357166f1647196f646769b75ee7ca9070342a9c312b", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 933, "text_sha256": "581715173f3b7176eda8a357166f1647196f646769b75ee7ca9070342a9c312b"}

experimental_model

Enzyme activity assays on Echinococcus granulosus cyst wall from infected mice after 7 to 14 days of treatment

exposure

Mebendazole 25 to 50, albendazole 300 and praziquantel 500 milligrams per kilogram daily by gavage

limitations

An in vivo enzyme measurement with a head-to-head dose comparison, though the doses are not equipotent and the cyst wall is one tissue.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Cestode

plain_language

In a live infection mebendazole shut down two sugar-handling enzymes almost completely, and did so harder than albendazole.

primary_references

[mbz-p8010090] Effects of mebendazole, albendazole, and praziquantel on fumarate hydratase, pyruvate kinase, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase of Echinococcus granulosus cyst wall harbored in mice. (1994). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8010090/

tissue_or_cell_type

Hydatid cyst wall

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 251–262

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Enzyme activity assays on Echinococcus granulosus cyst wall from infected mice after 7 to 14 days of treatment · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-inhibits-pk-and-pepck Pyruvate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities in the Echinococcus granulosus cyst wall were markedly inhibited by mebendazole and albendazole while fumarate hydratase activity showed no apparent change, with inhibition rates in the mebendazole group of 85 to 88% and 90 to 92% respectively against 55.3% and 71.6% in the albendazole group, suggesting that these two enzymes may be an important site attacked by effective anti-hydatid drugs. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: In a live infection mebendazole shut down two sugar-handling enzymes almost completely, and did so harder than albendazole. organism: Cestode tissue_or_cell_type: Hydatid cyst wall experimental_model: Enzyme activity assays on Echinococcus granulosus cyst wall from infected mice after 7 to 14 days of treatment limitations: An in vivo enzyme measurement with a head-to-head dose comparison, though the doses are not equipotent and the cyst wall is one tissue. exposure: Mebendazole 25 to 50, albendazole 300 and praziquantel 500 milligrams per kilogram daily by gavage evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/8010090.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "581715173f3b7176eda8a357166f1647196f646769b75ee7ca9070342a9c312b", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 933, "text_sha256": "581715173f3b7176eda8a357166f1647196f646769b75ee7ca9070342a9c312b"} [mbz-p8010090] Effects of mebendazole, albendazole, and praziquantel on fumarate hydratase, pyruvate kinase, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase of Echinococcus granulosus cyst wall harbored in mice. (1994). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8010090/

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Turbidimetric microtubule polymerisation assay and colchicine binding assay on purified bovine brain tubulin

exposure

Eleven benzimidazoles compared for inhibition of the initial rate of microtubule polymerisation

limitations

Purified mammalian tubulin, which is the off-target rather than the parasite target. It fixes where mebendazole sits in the class by potency.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Cattle

plain_language

Mebendazole sits in the potent group; thiabendazole is about a hundred times weaker.

primary_references

[mbz-p728472] Interaction of anthelmintic benzimidazoles and benzimidazole derivatives with bovine brain tubulin. (1978). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/728472/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4165(78)90334-3

tissue_or_cell_type

Brain tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 82–93

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Turbidimetric microtubule polymerisation assay and colchicine binding assay on purified bovine brain tubulin · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-inhibits-polymerisation Median inhibitory concentrations for nocodazole, oxibendazole, parbendazole, mebendazole and fenbendazole against bovine brain tubulin polymerisation ranged from 1.97 x 10-6 to 6.32 x 10-6 molar, while benomyl, cambendazole and carbendazim had values from 5.83 x 10-5 to 9.01 x 10-5 molar and thiabendazole had a value of 5.49 x 10-4 molar. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Mebendazole sits in the potent group; thiabendazole is about a hundred times weaker. organism: Cattle tissue_or_cell_type: Brain tubulin experimental_model: Turbidimetric microtubule polymerisation assay and colchicine binding assay on purified bovine brain tubulin limitations: Purified mammalian tubulin, which is the off-target rather than the parasite target. It fixes where mebendazole sits in the class by potency. exposure: Eleven benzimidazoles compared for inhibition of the initial rate of microtubule polymerisation evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/728472.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "544c36409218c93ebff76d932a2bc6e14ccf7fd6e217d4614c4b561281c2555a", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1025, "text_sha256": "544c36409218c93ebff76d932a2bc6e14ccf7fd6e217d4614c4b561281c2555a"} [mbz-p728472] Interaction of anthelmintic benzimidazoles and benzimidazole derivatives with bovine brain tubulin. (1978). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/728472/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4165(78)90334-3

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Colchicine and tritiated mebendazole binding to partially purified tubulin from Ascaris suum intestine and porcine brain

exposure

In vitro incubation of Ascaris suum with 10 micromolar mebendazole, with tubulin partially purified from the intestine

limitations

Measures the tissue mebendazole actually damages rather than embryonic tissue, and reaches the opposite conclusion about selectivity. Solubility prevented a precise association constant for mebendazole itself.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Nematode and pig

plain_language

In the gut of the worm, the drug wipes out the protein it is supposed to act on.

primary_references

[mbz-p7335116] Intestinal tubulin as possible target for the chemotherapeutic action of mebendazole in parasitic nematodes. (1981). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7335116/ DOI: 10.1016/0166-6851(81)90064-5

tissue_or_cell_type

Nematode intestinal tubulin and porcine brain tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 121–132

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Colchicine and tritiated mebendazole binding to partially purified tubulin from Ascaris suum intestine and porcine brain · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-intestinal-tubulin-is-the-target In vitro incubation of Ascaris suum with 10 micromolar mebendazole resulted in a complete loss of colchicine binding ability of extracts obtained from the parasite intestine, the colchicine binding receptor in those extracts was identified biochemically as tubulin, and that protein comprised approximately 0.8% of the soluble intestinal protein. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: In the gut of the worm, the drug wipes out the protein it is supposed to act on. organism: Nematode and pig tissue_or_cell_type: Nematode intestinal tubulin and porcine brain tubulin experimental_model: Colchicine and tritiated mebendazole binding to partially purified tubulin from Ascaris suum intestine and porcine brain limitations: Measures the tissue mebendazole actually damages rather than embryonic tissue, and reaches the opposite conclusion about selectivity. Solubility prevented a precise association constant for mebendazole itself. exposure: In vitro incubation of Ascaris suum with 10 micromolar mebendazole, with tubulin partially purified from the intestine evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7335116.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "358adb37f881bf9fc64cf4cea24ce690792e958df702a705b2addda3295ad144", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1621, "text_sha256": "358adb37f881bf9fc64cf4cea24ce690792e958df702a705b2addda3295ad144"} [mbz-p7335116] Intestinal tubulin as possible target for the chemotherapeutic action of mebendazole in parasitic nematodes. (1981). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7335116/ DOI: 10.1016/0166-6851(81)90064-5

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7094986.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "5948d6b41d6cf4fa0b334caac010a171c49b81afd433f1eb704b4d07cfcb86cd", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1256, "text_sha256": "5948d6b41d6cf4fa0b334caac010a171c49b81afd433f1eb704b4d07cfcb86cd"}

experimental_model

Plasma monitoring of mebendazole and its metabolites in twelve patients treated for cystic hydatid disease

exposure

10 milligrams per kilogram, with tissue sampled at surgery in two patients

limitations

Twelve patients with wide between-patient variation. The enterohepatic recycling explanation is the authors’ inference from the metabolite profile.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

What circulates is mostly the breakdown products, and they hang around five times longer than the drug.

primary_references

[mbz-p7094986] Clinical pharmacokinetics of high dose mebendazole in patients treated for cystic hydatid disease. (1982). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7094986/ DOI: 10.1007/bf00542462

tissue_or_cell_type

Plasma, tissue and cyst material

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 446–457

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Plasma monitoring of mebendazole and its metabolites in twelve patients treated for cystic hydatid disease · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-metabolites-outlast-the-drug The plasma areas under the curve for the major metabolites of mebendazole, methyl 5-(alpha-hydroxybenzyl)-2-benzimidazole carbamate and 2-amino-5-benzoylbenzimidazole, were about five times that found for mebendazole itself in patients on chronic therapy, which the authors suggest results from enterohepatic recycling of these polar metabolites, and since mebendazole is also highly plasma protein bound caution should be observed in patients with liver disease, while concentrations in tissue and cyst material collected at surgery ranged from 59.5 to 206.6 nanograms per gram wet weight. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: What circulates is mostly the breakdown products, and they hang around five times longer than the drug. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Plasma, tissue and cyst material experimental_model: Plasma monitoring of mebendazole and its metabolites in twelve patients treated for cystic hydatid disease limitations: Twelve patients with wide between-patient variation. The enterohepatic recycling explanation is the authors’ inference from the metabolite profile. exposure: 10 milligrams per kilogram, with tissue sampled at surgery in two patients evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7094986.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "5948d6b41d6cf4fa0b334caac010a171c49b81afd433f1eb704b4d07cfcb86cd", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1256, "text_sha256": "5948d6b41d6cf4fa0b334caac010a171c49b81afd433f1eb704b4d07cfcb86cd"} [mbz-p7094986] Clinical pharmacokinetics of high dose mebendazole in patients treated for cystic hydatid disease. (1982). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7094986/ DOI: 10.1007/bf00542462

availability_state

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Case reports of two patients on high-dose oral mebendazole for echinococcosis

exposure

High-dose oral mebendazole, with a blood level of 239 nanograms per millilitre in one patient

limitations

Two cases. The estimate that neutropenia may occur in up to 5% of patients is the authors’ judgement, not a measured rate from these two.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

The patient whose cysts shrank most was the patient whose marrow was suppressed.

primary_references

[mbz-p6842806] Severe, reversible neutropenia during high-dose mebendazole therapy for echinococcosis. (1983). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6842806/ DOI: 10.1001/jama.1983.03330450059026

tissue_or_cell_type

Bone marrow

trigger_kind

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 628–639

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Case reports of two patients on high-dose oral mebendazole for echinococcosis · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-neutropenia-with-the-benefit Two patients on high-dose oral mebendazole for echinococcosis developed severe reversible neutropenia apparently due to marrow suppression, with platelets and red cells also reversibly suppressed in one, high blood levels of 239 nanograms per millilitre in one patient may have caused the neutropenia and several toxic side effects as well as a striking shrinkage of that patient’s pulmonary and liver cysts, neutropenia with high-dose therapy may occur in up to 5% of patients, and the white cell count should be monitored frequently during the first several weeks. Condition category: biomarker_context nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The patient whose cysts shrank most was the patient whose marrow was suppressed. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Bone marrow experimental_model: Case reports of two patients on high-dose oral mebendazole for echinococcosis limitations: Two cases. The estimate that neutropenia may occur in up to 5% of patients is the authors’ judgement, not a measured rate from these two. exposure: High-dose oral mebendazole, with a blood level of 239 nanograms per millilitre in one patient evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/6842806.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "bdad328a3c1865dc991e7d6825c6da6e68742c580b2f8e0d455635ab57e69031", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 755, "text_sha256": "bdad328a3c1865dc991e7d6825c6da6e68742c580b2f8e0d455635ab57e69031"} [mbz-p6842806] Severe, reversible neutropenia during high-dose mebendazole therapy for echinococcosis. (1983). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6842806/ DOI: 10.1001/jama.1983.03330450059026

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/12548230.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "08e6e832094453e69ff88f5daeb82e145cd70180f68658be2c0c30b686fd2fad", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1183, "text_sha256": "08e6e832094453e69ff88f5daeb82e145cd70180f68658be2c0c30b686fd2fad"}

experimental_model

Prospective controlled cohort of 192 pregnancies followed by the Israeli Teratogen Information Service

exposure

Mebendazole exposure in pregnancy, 71.5% in the first trimester, against a matched non-teratogenic control group

limitations

A prospective cohort of 192 pregnancies, which can exclude a large risk but not a small one, at pinworm doses rather than the high doses used for echinococcosis or oncology.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

In nearly two hundred pregnancies there was no excess of birth defects, though many more of these pregnancies were ended by choice.

primary_references

[mbz-p12548230] Pregnancy outcome after gestational exposure to mebendazole: a prospective controlled cohort study. (2003). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12548230/ DOI: 10.1067/mob.2003.79

tissue_or_cell_type

Pregnancy outcome

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 615–626

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Prospective controlled cohort of 192 pregnancies followed by the Israeli Teratogen Information Service · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-no-major-teratogenic-signal Among 192 pregnancies exposed to mebendazole and followed prospectively, 71.5% with first-trimester exposure, there was no increase in the rate of major malformations against a matched control group counselled for non-teratogenic exposure, 3.3% against 1.7%, though there was a higher rate of elective termination in the exposed group at 11.5% against 1.6%, and the authors conclude that mebendazole does not represent a major teratogenic risk in humans at the doses commonly used for pinworm. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: In nearly two hundred pregnancies there was no excess of birth defects, though many more of these pregnancies were ended by choice. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Pregnancy outcome experimental_model: Prospective controlled cohort of 192 pregnancies followed by the Israeli Teratogen Information Service limitations: A prospective cohort of 192 pregnancies, which can exclude a large risk but not a small one, at pinworm doses rather than the high doses used for echinococcosis or oncology. exposure: Mebendazole exposure in pregnancy, 71.5% in the first trimester, against a matched non-teratogenic control group evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/12548230.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "08e6e832094453e69ff88f5daeb82e145cd70180f68658be2c0c30b686fd2fad", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1183, "text_sha256": "08e6e832094453e69ff88f5daeb82e145cd70180f68658be2c0c30b686fd2fad"} [mbz-p12548230] Pregnancy outcome after gestational exposure to mebendazole: a prospective controlled cohort study. (2003). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12548230/ DOI: 10.1067/mob.2003.79

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food

exposure

Mebendazole at 30 parts per million in pig feed, with parasites collected 6, 9, 15 and 24 hours after feeding began

limitations

The earliest mechanistic record here and still the clearest picture of the consequence. It predates the tubulin work and describes exactly what blocking microtubule-based transport would produce.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Nematode

plain_language

The cargo piles up where it is made and never arrives where it is needed.

primary_references

[mbz-p1117352] Ultrastructural changes in Ascaris suum intestine after mebendazole treatment in vivo. (1975). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1117352/ DOI: 10.2307/3279120

tissue_or_cell_type

Ascaris suum intestine

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 186–197

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-secretory-transport-fails After 6 and 9 hours of treatment the characteristic changes in Ascaris suum intestinal cells were absence of secretory granules in the terminal web, accumulation of secretory granules in the Golgi region, formation of autophagic vacuoles in the apical cell part, and loss of glycogen, and cytochemistry revealed that the accumulated granules in the Golgi area contained glycoproteins or polysaccharides. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The cargo piles up where it is made and never arrives where it is needed. organism: Nematode tissue_or_cell_type: Ascaris suum intestine experimental_model: Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food limitations: The earliest mechanistic record here and still the clearest picture of the consequence. It predates the tubulin work and describes exactly what blocking microtubule-based transport would produce. exposure: Mebendazole at 30 parts per million in pig feed, with parasites collected 6, 9, 15 and 24 hours after feeding began evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1117352.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1554, "text_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f"} [mbz-p1117352] Ultrastructural changes in Ascaris suum intestine after mebendazole treatment in vivo. (1975). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1117352/ DOI: 10.2307/3279120

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7388055.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "5613d7fb281b4fd39b17bfdbafaf0ea823fb63b928048a9dd112fb71bf4cd2b7", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1209, "text_sha256": "5613d7fb281b4fd39b17bfdbafaf0ea823fb63b928048a9dd112fb71bf4cd2b7"}

experimental_model

Inhibition of tritiated colchicine binding to cytosolic tubulin from 8-day Ascaris suum embryos and from bovine brain

exposure

Mebendazole and fenbendazole compared on the two tubulins in the same assay

limitations

The founding selectivity result. It measures embryonic tubulin; the study in this collection that measured intestinal tubulin found a far smaller difference.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Nematode and cattle

plain_language

The drug grips worm tubulin hundreds of times more tightly than ours, which is the usual explanation for why it is safe.

primary_references

[mbz-p7388055] Interaction of anthelmintic benzimidazoles with Ascaris suum embryonic tubulin. (1980). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7388055/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4165(80)90431-6

tissue_or_cell_type

Embryonic nematode tubulin and bovine brain tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 95–106

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Inhibition of tritiated colchicine binding to cytosolic tubulin from 8-day Ascaris suum embryos and from bovine brain · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-selectivity-250-fold The inhibition constants of mebendazole and fenbendazole for Ascaris suum embryonic tubulin were 1.9 x 10-8 and 6.5 x 10-8 molar while those for bovine brain tubulin were 7.3 x 10-6 and 1.7 x 10-5 molar, values 250 to 400 times greater, so that differential binding affinities between nematode and mammalian tubulin may explain the selective toxicity. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The drug grips worm tubulin hundreds of times more tightly than ours, which is the usual explanation for why it is safe. organism: Nematode and cattle tissue_or_cell_type: Embryonic nematode tubulin and bovine brain tubulin experimental_model: Inhibition of tritiated colchicine binding to cytosolic tubulin from 8-day Ascaris suum embryos and from bovine brain limitations: The founding selectivity result. It measures embryonic tubulin; the study in this collection that measured intestinal tubulin found a far smaller difference. exposure: Mebendazole and fenbendazole compared on the two tubulins in the same assay evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7388055.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "5613d7fb281b4fd39b17bfdbafaf0ea823fb63b928048a9dd112fb71bf4cd2b7", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1209, "text_sha256": "5613d7fb281b4fd39b17bfdbafaf0ea823fb63b928048a9dd112fb71bf4cd2b7"} [mbz-p7388055] Interaction of anthelmintic benzimidazoles with Ascaris suum embryonic tubulin. (1980). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7388055/ DOI: 10.1016/0304-4165(80)90431-6

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Colchicine and tritiated mebendazole binding to partially purified tubulin from Ascaris suum intestine and porcine brain

exposure

In vitro incubation of Ascaris suum with 10 micromolar mebendazole, with tubulin partially purified from the intestine

limitations

Measures the tissue mebendazole actually damages rather than embryonic tissue, and reaches the opposite conclusion about selectivity. Solubility prevented a precise association constant for mebendazole itself.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Nematode and pig

plain_language

Measured in the worm’s gut rather than its embryos, the drug is only about twice as selective, which is not enough to explain its safety.

primary_references

[mbz-p7335116] Intestinal tubulin as possible target for the chemotherapeutic action of mebendazole in parasitic nematodes. (1981). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7335116/ DOI: 10.1016/0166-6851(81)90064-5

tissue_or_cell_type

Nematode intestinal tubulin and porcine brain tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 134–145

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Colchicine and tritiated mebendazole binding to partially purified tubulin from Ascaris suum intestine and porcine brain · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-selectivity-only-twofold Mebendazole inhibited colchicine binding to partially purified Ascaris suum intestinal tubulin competitively with an inhibition constant of 4.22 x 10-6 molar and inhibited colchicine binding to porcine brain tubulin competitively with an inhibition constant of 8.0 x 10-6 molar, so that in view of the small difference in drug binding abilities it remains unclear whether the selective toxicity can be solely explained by interference with the parasite microtubular system, and the authors suggest that differential pharmacokinetic behaviour between parasite and host may be the essential basis for the difference in susceptibility. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Measured in the worm’s gut rather than its embryos, the drug is only about twice as selective, which is not enough to explain its safety. organism: Nematode and pig tissue_or_cell_type: Nematode intestinal tubulin and porcine brain tubulin experimental_model: Colchicine and tritiated mebendazole binding to partially purified tubulin from Ascaris suum intestine and porcine brain limitations: Measures the tissue mebendazole actually damages rather than embryonic tissue, and reaches the opposite conclusion about selectivity. Solubility prevented a precise association constant for mebendazole itself. exposure: In vitro incubation of Ascaris suum with 10 micromolar mebendazole, with tubulin partially purified from the intestine evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7335116.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "358adb37f881bf9fc64cf4cea24ce690792e958df702a705b2addda3295ad144", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1621, "text_sha256": "358adb37f881bf9fc64cf4cea24ce690792e958df702a705b2addda3295ad144"} [mbz-p7335116] Intestinal tubulin as possible target for the chemotherapeutic action of mebendazole in parasitic nematodes. (1981). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7335116/ DOI: 10.1016/0166-6851(81)90064-5

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Kinetic and equilibrium binding of tritiated mebendazole to tubulin from third-stage Haemonchus contortus larvae

exposure

Association and dissociation rate constants measured in partially purified preparations and crude cytosol

limitations

Separates the rate of binding from the rate of release, which an equilibrium measurement cannot. The kinetic and equilibrium constants differ about thirtyfold and the authors argue for the kinetic value.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Nematode

plain_language

It binds worm tubulin quickly and then stays there; on ours it falls straight off again.

primary_references

[mbz-p1459788] The kinetics of mebendazole binding to Haemonchus contortus tubulin. (1992). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1459788/ DOI: 10.1016/0020-7519(92)90051-l

tissue_or_cell_type

Larval nematode tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 147–158

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Kinetic and equilibrium binding of tritiated mebendazole to tubulin from third-stage Haemonchus contortus larvae · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-slow-release-is-the-point Association of tritiated mebendazole to Haemonchus contortus tubulin was rapid at 2.6 x 10(5) per molar per minute but dissociation was slow at 1.58 x 10(-3) per minute, giving a kinetic affinity constant of 1.6 x 10(8) per molar against an equilibrium estimate of 5.3 x 10(6) per molar, and the slow dissociation from nematode tubulin, which contrasts with rapid dissociation from mammalian tubulin, supports the view that selective toxicity results from a difference between the affinities of mammalian and nematode tubulins. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: It binds worm tubulin quickly and then stays there; on ours it falls straight off again. organism: Nematode tissue_or_cell_type: Larval nematode tubulin experimental_model: Kinetic and equilibrium binding of tritiated mebendazole to tubulin from third-stage Haemonchus contortus larvae limitations: Separates the rate of binding from the rate of release, which an equilibrium measurement cannot. The kinetic and equilibrium constants differ about thirtyfold and the authors argue for the kinetic value. exposure: Association and dissociation rate constants measured in partially purified preparations and crude cytosol evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1459788.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "b34533a3360a1b113dca959ed53c0c5cf9f7efe61403c2b498146c90e7085bb1", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1160, "text_sha256": "b34533a3360a1b113dca959ed53c0c5cf9f7efe61403c2b498146c90e7085bb1"} [mbz-p1459788] The kinetics of mebendazole binding to Haemonchus contortus tubulin. (1992). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1459788/ DOI: 10.1016/0020-7519(92)90051-l

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Tritiated benzimidazole carbamate binding to mammalian brain tubulin measured at 4 and 37 degrees

exposure

Mebendazole, oxibendazole, oxfendazole and carbendazim binding measured across temperature

limitations

The temperature arm is what makes this decisive: it explains why the same drug behaves differently on host and parasite tubulin at body temperature. Binding was measured on brain tubulin, not on tubulin from a target tissue.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Mammal

plain_language

At body temperature the drug slides off our tubulin and locks onto the worm’s; cool ours down and it sticks to that too.

primary_references

[mbz-p1554382] Binding of [3H]benzimidazole carbamates to mammalian brain tubulin and the mechanism of selective toxicity of the benzimidazole anthelmintics. (1992). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1554382/ DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(92)90617-r

tissue_or_cell_type

Brain tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 160–171

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Tritiated benzimidazole carbamate binding to mammalian brain tubulin measured at 4 and 37 degrees · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-temperature-decides Tritiated benzimidazole carbamate binding to mammalian brain tubulin was markedly greater at 4 degrees than at 37 degrees for all ligands, association constants and maximum binding were temperature dependent, and the first order dissociation rate constant of the mebendazole-tubulin complex was reduced by two orders of magnitude at 4 degrees compared with 37 degrees, suggesting that temperature-induced conformational changes in the tubulin dimer influence the ability to form a stable complex; this is unlike the interaction observed for parasitic nematodes where optimum binding occurs at 37 degrees and results in a pseudo-irreversible complex. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: At body temperature the drug slides off our tubulin and locks onto the worm’s; cool ours down and it sticks to that too. organism: Mammal tissue_or_cell_type: Brain tubulin experimental_model: Tritiated benzimidazole carbamate binding to mammalian brain tubulin measured at 4 and 37 degrees limitations: The temperature arm is what makes this decisive: it explains why the same drug behaves differently on host and parasite tubulin at body temperature. Binding was measured on brain tubulin, not on tubulin from a target tissue. exposure: Mebendazole, oxibendazole, oxfendazole and carbendazim binding measured across temperature evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1554382.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "70fec1c41b747eaae6d4a47ad1075a49828ee942f7935b85eb0f51416cd57c37", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1495, "text_sha256": "70fec1c41b747eaae6d4a47ad1075a49828ee942f7935b85eb0f51416cd57c37"} [mbz-p1554382] Binding of [3H]benzimidazole carbamates to mammalian brain tubulin and the mechanism of selective toxicity of the benzimidazole anthelmintics. (1992). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1554382/ DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(92)90617-r

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Structure-activity study of thirty-two methyl benzimidazol-2-yl carbamates against mammalian tubulin polymerisation

exposure

Systematic variation of the 5(6)-position substituent

limitations

Quantitative structure-activity modelling on the off-target protein. It says which part of the molecule matters, not which target matters.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Mammal

plain_language

One position on the ring decides how well the whole family works.

primary_references

[mbz-p3985991] Structure-activity relationships of benzimidazole carbamates as inhibitors of mammalian tubulin, in vitro. (1985). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3985991/ DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(85)90611-2

tissue_or_cell_type

Tubulin

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 225–236

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Structure-activity study of thirty-two methyl benzimidazol-2-yl carbamates against mammalian tubulin polymerisation · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-the-5-substituent-governs Across thirty-two methyl benzimidazol-2-yl carbamates, the size or some colinear physico-chemical characteristic of the substituent in the 5 or 6 position had a profound effect on potency against mammalian tubulin polymerisation, and branching with or without a commensurate increase in polarity adjacent to the benzimidazole ring resulted in a loss of activity. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: One position on the ring decides how well the whole family works. organism: Mammal tissue_or_cell_type: Tubulin experimental_model: Structure-activity study of thirty-two methyl benzimidazol-2-yl carbamates against mammalian tubulin polymerisation limitations: Quantitative structure-activity modelling on the off-target protein. It says which part of the molecule matters, not which target matters. exposure: Systematic variation of the 5(6)-position substituent evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/3985991.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "9b881308a6051bd89e2f8323670dd08a8d5e50cf06c7705724ece611440643e5", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 680, "text_sha256": "9b881308a6051bd89e2f8323670dd08a8d5e50cf06c7705724ece611440643e5"} [mbz-p3985991] Structure-activity relationships of benzimidazole carbamates as inhibitors of mammalian tubulin, in vitro. (1985). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3985991/ DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(85)90611-2

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Concentration-matched comparison of viability, microtubule polymerisation and metaphase arrest, with NCI COMPARE analysis and a head-to-head animal comparison against vincristine

exposure

Mebendazole against vincristine close to its maximum tolerated dose in orthotopic GL261 tumours

limitations

Tests whether the anticancer effect is the microtubule effect by matching concentrations across three assays, which most repurposing studies do not do.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Mouse

plain_language

The concentration that kills the cell is the concentration that blocks its microtubules, so it is the same mechanism.

primary_references

[mbz-p28386621] Repurposing Mebendazole as a Replacement for Vincristine for the Treatment of Brain Tumors. (2017). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28386621/ DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2017.00011

tissue_or_cell_type

Glioblastoma

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 498–509

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Concentration-matched comparison of viability, microtubule polymerisation and metaphase arrest, with NCI COMPARE analysis and a head-to-head animal comparison against vincristine · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-the-anticancer-effect-is-tubulin The effective concentrations of mebendazole to inhibit GL261 glioblastoma cell viability, microtubule polymerization and metaphase arrest were very similar, and using mebendazole as a seed for the NCI COMPARE program revealed that the top-scoring drugs were highly enriched in microtubule-targeting drugs, indicating that the cell toxicity of mebendazole is indeed caused by inhibiting microtubule formation. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The concentration that kills the cell is the concentration that blocks its microtubules, so it is the same mechanism. organism: Mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Glioblastoma experimental_model: Concentration-matched comparison of viability, microtubule polymerisation and metaphase arrest, with NCI COMPARE analysis and a head-to-head animal comparison against vincristine limitations: Tests whether the anticancer effect is the microtubule effect by matching concentrations across three assays, which most repurposing studies do not do. exposure: Mebendazole against vincristine close to its maximum tolerated dose in orthotopic GL261 tumours evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/28386621.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "20ef610d6b4a341f8a0a3f731bbea5477badbee517062c303bbf1075f3a29865", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1788, "text_sha256": "20ef610d6b4a341f8a0a3f731bbea5477badbee517062c303bbf1075f3a29865"} [mbz-p28386621] Repurposing Mebendazole as a Replacement for Vincristine for the Treatment of Brain Tumors. (2017). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28386621/ DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2017.00011

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food

exposure

Mebendazole at 30 parts per million in pig feed, with parasites collected 6, 9, 15 and 24 hours after feeding began

limitations

The earliest mechanistic record here and still the clearest picture of the consequence. It predates the tubulin work and describes exactly what blocking microtubule-based transport would produce.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Nematode

plain_language

Within a day the absorbing surface of the worm’s gut is destroyed.

primary_references

[mbz-p1117352] Ultrastructural changes in Ascaris suum intestine after mebendazole treatment in vivo. (1975). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1117352/ DOI: 10.2307/3279120

tissue_or_cell_type

Ascaris suum intestine

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 199–210

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-the-gut-cell-dies Degenerative changes were very pronounced after 15 and 24 hours and involved almost the entire cytoplasm, microvilli were decreased in number and appeared swollen in the majority of absorptive cells with some cells completely devoid of microvilli, and acid phosphatase activity moved from microvilli, lysosomes and Golgi apparatus into numerous autophagic vacuoles while the accumulated secretory granules remained unstained. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Within a day the absorbing surface of the worm’s gut is destroyed. organism: Nematode tissue_or_cell_type: Ascaris suum intestine experimental_model: Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of Ascaris suum intestine from pigs fed medicated food limitations: The earliest mechanistic record here and still the clearest picture of the consequence. It predates the tubulin work and describes exactly what blocking microtubule-based transport would produce. exposure: Mebendazole at 30 parts per million in pig feed, with parasites collected 6, 9, 15 and 24 hours after feeding began evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/1117352.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1554, "text_sha256": "e7cf1916636fe33e5b6ce6c22d84d2550adfd392b30b1b940f4c794b3069066f"} [mbz-p1117352] Ultrastructural changes in Ascaris suum intestine after mebendazole treatment in vivo. (1975). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1117352/ DOI: 10.2307/3279120

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Single-centre dose-escalation and safety study in 24 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma

exposure

Oral mebendazole at 25, 50, 100 and 200 milligrams per kilogram per day with adjuvant temozolomide, with trough plasma levels at 4, 8 and 16 weeks

limitations

The only human oncology record here. It is a single-arm dose-escalation and safety study without a control group, so the survival figures cannot be read as efficacy.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

Patients who stayed on it longer did better, but there was no control group and staying on a drug longer is itself a sign of doing well.

primary_references

[mbz-p33506200] Mebendazole and temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas: results of a phase 1 clinical trial. (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33506200/ DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa154

tissue_or_cell_type

Brain

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 589–600

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Single-centre dose-escalation and safety study in 24 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-uncontrolled-survival-figures Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a 21-month median overall survival with 41.7% of patients alive at 2 years and 25% at 3 and 4 years, and median progression-free survival from diagnosis was 13.1 months for 17 patients taking more than one month of mebendazole against 9.2 months for 7 patients who received less than one month, with the authors concluding that further studies are needed to determine efficacy in malignant glioma. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Patients who stayed on it longer did better, but there was no control group and staying on a drug longer is itself a sign of doing well. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Brain experimental_model: Single-centre dose-escalation and safety study in 24 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma limitations: The only human oncology record here. It is a single-arm dose-escalation and safety study without a control group, so the survival figures cannot be read as efficacy. exposure: Oral mebendazole at 25, 50, 100 and 200 milligrams per kilogram per day with adjuvant temozolomide, with trough plasma levels at 4, 8 and 16 weeks evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/33506200.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "ab5f2c1d14ccb7fa9f690201326bdbfcab3e07758bc78b76ff9adec2ca774ec6", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1712, "text_sha256": "ab5f2c1d14ccb7fa9f690201326bdbfcab3e07758bc78b76ff9adec2ca774ec6"} [mbz-p33506200] Mebendazole and temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas: results of a phase 1 clinical trial. (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33506200/ DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa154

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7094986.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "5948d6b41d6cf4fa0b334caac010a171c49b81afd433f1eb704b4d07cfcb86cd", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1256, "text_sha256": "5948d6b41d6cf4fa0b334caac010a171c49b81afd433f1eb704b4d07cfcb86cd"}

experimental_model

Plasma monitoring of mebendazole and its metabolites in twelve patients treated for cystic hydatid disease

exposure

10 milligrams per kilogram, with tissue sampled at surgery in two patients

limitations

Twelve patients with wide between-patient variation. The enterohepatic recycling explanation is the authors’ inference from the metabolite profile.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

The same dose gives one patient thirty times the blood level of another.

primary_references

[mbz-p7094986] Clinical pharmacokinetics of high dose mebendazole in patients treated for cystic hydatid disease. (1982). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7094986/ DOI: 10.1007/bf00542462

tissue_or_cell_type

Plasma, tissue and cyst material

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 433–444

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Plasma monitoring of mebendazole and its metabolites in twelve patients treated for cystic hydatid disease · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-variation-is-enormous In twelve patients given 10 milligrams per kilogram for cystic hydatid disease the plasma concentration-time profiles differed considerably, with elimination half-lives from 2.8 to 9.0 hours, time to peak from 1.5 to 7.25 hours and peak concentrations from 17.5 to 500 nanograms per millilitre, and the mean peak after an initial dose of 69.5 nanograms per millilitre was lower than during chronic therapy at 137.4 nanograms per millilitre. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: The same dose gives one patient thirty times the blood level of another. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Plasma, tissue and cyst material experimental_model: Plasma monitoring of mebendazole and its metabolites in twelve patients treated for cystic hydatid disease limitations: Twelve patients with wide between-patient variation. The enterohepatic recycling explanation is the authors’ inference from the metabolite profile. exposure: 10 milligrams per kilogram, with tissue sampled at surgery in two patients evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7094986.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "5948d6b41d6cf4fa0b334caac010a171c49b81afd433f1eb704b4d07cfcb86cd", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1256, "text_sha256": "5948d6b41d6cf4fa0b334caac010a171c49b81afd433f1eb704b4d07cfcb86cd"} [mbz-p7094986] Clinical pharmacokinetics of high dose mebendazole in patients treated for cystic hydatid disease. (1982). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7094986/ DOI: 10.1007/bf00542462

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/25253417.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "96333adbb3bce735b14f3c51317229543279992c3cd170760cc494566e49a169", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1798, "text_sha256": "96333adbb3bce735b14f3c51317229543279992c3cd170760cc494566e49a169"}

experimental_model

Autophosphorylation and cell-free kinase assays with orthotopic medulloblastoma allograft and xenograft models

exposure

Mebendazole in PTCH1-mutant allografts, a group 3 xenograft and a vismodegib-resistant model

limitations

Identifies a third mechanism, kinase inhibition, with a defined competition mode. Whether this operates at achievable human concentrations is not established here.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Mouse

plain_language

It also blocks the receptor that grows new tumour blood vessels, and spares the normal ones.

primary_references

[mbz-p25253417] Effective treatment of diverse medulloblastoma models with mebendazole and its impact on tumor angiogenesis. (2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25253417/ DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou234

tissue_or_cell_type

Medulloblastoma and tumour vasculature

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 550–561

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Autophosphorylation and cell-free kinase assays with orthotopic medulloblastoma allograft and xenograft models · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-vegfr2-atp-competition Mebendazole was determined to interfere with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 kinase by competing with ATP, selectively inhibited tumour angiogenesis but not the normal brain vasculature in orthotopic medulloblastoma models, suppressed the kinase in vivo, and significantly extended survival of medulloblastoma models derived from different molecular backgrounds including a PTCH1-mutant tumour with acquired resistance to the smoothened inhibitor vismodegib. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: It also blocks the receptor that grows new tumour blood vessels, and spares the normal ones. organism: Mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Medulloblastoma and tumour vasculature experimental_model: Autophosphorylation and cell-free kinase assays with orthotopic medulloblastoma allograft and xenograft models limitations: Identifies a third mechanism, kinase inhibition, with a defined competition mode. Whether this operates at achievable human concentrations is not established here. exposure: Mebendazole in PTCH1-mutant allografts, a group 3 xenograft and a vismodegib-resistant model evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/25253417.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "96333adbb3bce735b14f3c51317229543279992c3cd170760cc494566e49a169", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1798, "text_sha256": "96333adbb3bce735b14f3c51317229543279992c3cd170760cc494566e49a169"} [mbz-p25253417] Effective treatment of diverse medulloblastoma models with mebendazole and its impact on tumor angiogenesis. (2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25253417/ DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou234

availability_state

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/3663452.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "9bfd138da23825906ffca0d38a5a884ac761cf028ae3e0c3ddeabcc24d1c316e", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 912, "text_sha256": "9bfd138da23825906ffca0d38a5a884ac761cf028ae3e0c3ddeabcc24d1c316e"}

experimental_model

Aminopyrine breath test and serum mebendazole concentrations in eight patients before and after 30 days of cimetidine

exposure

Mebendazole 1.5 grams three times daily, with cimetidine 400 milligrams three times daily for 30 days

limitations

Eight patients, five of whom had peptic ulcer rather than the target disease. The resolution of previously unresponsive cysts is reported without a control.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

Blocking the liver enzyme that destroys it raises the blood level enough to clear cysts that had not responded.

primary_references

[mbz-p3663452] Cimetidine increases serum mebendazole concentrations. Implications for treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts. (1987). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3663452/ DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1987.tb03186.x

tissue_or_cell_type

Liver and plasma

trigger_kind

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 472–483

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Aminopyrine breath test and serum mebendazole concentrations in eight patients before and after 30 days of cimetidine · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-cimetidine-raises-levels In eight patients, cimetidine lowered the one-hour specific activity in the aminopyrine breath test and increased the maximum serum concentration of mebendazole, with a significant correlation between the breath test activity and the highest mebendazole concentration both before and after cimetidine, and combined administration resulted in the complete resolution of previously unresponsive hydatid cysts. Condition category: biomarker_context nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Blocking the liver enzyme that destroys it raises the blood level enough to clear cysts that had not responded. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Liver and plasma experimental_model: Aminopyrine breath test and serum mebendazole concentrations in eight patients before and after 30 days of cimetidine limitations: Eight patients, five of whom had peptic ulcer rather than the target disease. The resolution of previously unresponsive cysts is reported without a control. exposure: Mebendazole 1.5 grams three times daily, with cimetidine 400 milligrams three times daily for 30 days evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/3663452.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "9bfd138da23825906ffca0d38a5a884ac761cf028ae3e0c3ddeabcc24d1c316e", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 912, "text_sha256": "9bfd138da23825906ffca0d38a5a884ac761cf028ae3e0c3ddeabcc24d1c316e"} [mbz-p3663452] Cimetidine increases serum mebendazole concentrations. Implications for treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts. (1987). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3663452/ DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1987.tb03186.x

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7103610.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e582dcb4657e254dfe61d437d899b2db4d2a4628aa1267fb90de6366b7b4c8f0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 948, "text_sha256": "e582dcb4657e254dfe61d437d899b2db4d2a4628aa1267fb90de6366b7b4c8f0"}

experimental_model

Radioimmunoassay of mebendazole and flubendazole across rats, dogs and man

exposure

Oral, subcutaneous and intramuscular dosing, and a twentyfold oral dose escalation of flubendazole in man

limitations

The dose-escalation arm is about flubendazole rather than mebendazole, and is recorded under flubendazole; it is retained because it demonstrates the solubility limit that governs this whole class.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Rat, dog and human

plain_language

Twenty times the dose gave less than half again as much in the blood, because it simply will not dissolve.

primary_references

[mbz-p7103610] The pharmacokinetics of mebendazole and flubendazole in animals and man. (1982). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7103610/

tissue_or_cell_type

Plasma

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 459–470

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Radioimmunoassay of mebendazole and flubendazole across rats, dogs and man · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-dose-escalation-fails Absorption of oral flubendazole in man was markedly enhanced when the drug was taken together with a meal, but a twenty times higher dose produced only an increase by a factor of 1.4 in plasma levels and area under the curve, indicating that absorption is limited by the extremely poor solubility of the drug in the contents of the gastrointestinal tract; in rats plasma levels of oral and subcutaneous mebendazole were about ten times higher than those of flubendazole. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Twenty times the dose gave less than half again as much in the blood, because it simply will not dissolve. organism: Rat, dog and human tissue_or_cell_type: Plasma experimental_model: Radioimmunoassay of mebendazole and flubendazole across rats, dogs and man limitations: The dose-escalation arm is about flubendazole rather than mebendazole, and is recorded under flubendazole; it is retained because it demonstrates the solubility limit that governs this whole class. exposure: Oral, subcutaneous and intramuscular dosing, and a twentyfold oral dose escalation of flubendazole in man evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7103610.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e582dcb4657e254dfe61d437d899b2db4d2a4628aa1267fb90de6366b7b4c8f0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 948, "text_sha256": "e582dcb4657e254dfe61d437d899b2db4d2a4628aa1267fb90de6366b7b4c8f0"} [mbz-p7103610] The pharmacokinetics of mebendazole and flubendazole in animals and man. (1982). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7103610/

availability_state

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7418715.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "b3e200ec505a4a58edacfcf8a51f1073d528d8fc7718fd5cd10a6ca15cbded10", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 812, "text_sha256": "b3e200ec505a4a58edacfcf8a51f1073d528d8fc7718fd5cd10a6ca15cbded10"}

experimental_model

Plasma concentrations in three volunteers given 1.5 gram doses and in patients on long-term treatment

exposure

1.5 gram oral doses given with and without a fatty meal

limitations

Three volunteers. The finding that concentrations were measurable only with food is the substantive result; the cholestasis observation is a single patient.

nutrient_topic

Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. · Mebendazole

organism

Human

plain_language

Without fat in the meal the drug does not reach the blood at all, and between patients the levels vary from nothing to a great deal.

primary_references

[mbz-p7418715] Plasma concentrations of mebendazole during treatment of echinococcosis: preliminary results. (1980). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7418715/ DOI: 10.1007/bf00558451

tissue_or_cell_type

Plasma

trigger_kind

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

Mebendazole: the tubulin it binds, why that is selective, the crystal form that decides whether any of it works, and the off-target that became an oncology programme (2026-09-22) · lines 420–431

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Plasma concentrations in three volunteers given 1.5 gram doses and in patients on long-term treatment · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### mbz-food-is-required When 1.5 gram doses were given to three volunteers, measurable plasma concentrations of 17 to 134 nanomoles per litre were found only if mebendazole was given together with a fatty meal, in a patient with cholestasis plasma concentrations were higher than in the three normal subjects, and in patients on long-term treatment the increase in plasma concentration after a 1 gram dose varied between 0 and 500 nanomoles per litre, so that monitoring plasma levels during long-term therapy appears advisable. Condition category: biomarker_context nutrient_topic: Mebendazole research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and mebendazole is recorded separately from albendazole, from the benzimidazole class and from its own crystal forms. plain_language: Without fat in the meal the drug does not reach the blood at all, and between patients the levels vary from nothing to a great deal. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Plasma experimental_model: Plasma concentrations in three volunteers given 1.5 gram doses and in patients on long-term treatment limitations: Three volunteers. The finding that concentrations were measurable only with food is the substantive result; the cholestasis observation is a single patient. exposure: 1.5 gram oral doses given with and without a fatty meal evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/mebendazole-research/7418715.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "b3e200ec505a4a58edacfcf8a51f1073d528d8fc7718fd5cd10a6ca15cbded10", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 812, "text_sha256": "b3e200ec505a4a58edacfcf8a51f1073d528d8fc7718fd5cd10a6ca15cbded10"} [mbz-p7418715] Plasma concentrations of mebendazole during treatment of echinococcosis: preliminary results. (1980). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7418715/ DOI: 10.1007/bf00558451