Repurposing anti-parasite benzimidazole drugs as selective anti-cancer chemotherapeutics

Authors

  • Fatemeh Movahedi Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
  • Li Li Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6545-858X
  • Zhiping Xu Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6070-5035

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58567/ci02010003

Keywords:

Anti-parasite; Benzimidazoles; Anti-cancer activity; Inhibition of tubulin polymerization; Selective chemoth erapeutics

Abstract

Cancer chemotherapy is generally associated with many severe adverse effects. Many cancer studies are currently focused on repurposing conventional non-toxic anti-parasite drugs for cancer treatment. Since cancer cells and parasites have many features in common, some anti-parasite drugs such as benzimidazoles have been recently found to possess the anti-cancer activity. Benzimidazoles act against cancer by inhibiting tubulin polymerization, inducing cancer cell apoptosis, arresting cell cycle and over-generating reactive oxygen specimen. In this review, we summarize the anticancer features of these drugs in recent investigations, lead to reconsideration of benzimidazoles as a family of anti-cancer chemotherapeutics with non-toxicity or low toxicity to the normal cells and tissues. We particularly highlight the recent progresses using nanoformulations for enhanced cancer therapy and provide our prospects in the future research.

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2023-06-14

How to Cite

Movahedi , F., Li, L., & Xu, Z. (2023). Repurposing anti-parasite benzimidazole drugs as selective anti-cancer chemotherapeutics. Cancer Insight, 2(1), 31–52. https://doi.org/10.58567/ci02010003

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Review Article