Multi-targeted therapy of cancer by niclosamide: A new application for an old drug

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Anticancer drug development aims for safe and effective agents.
• Niclosamide is an established antiparasitic medication.
• High-throughput screening identified niclosamide as a potential anticancer agent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the anticancer efficacy of niclosamide.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying niclosamide's anticancer activity.
• To assess niclosamide's potential in cancer therapy, including its effects on cancer stem cells.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on niclosamide's anticancer properties.
• Analysis of studies investigating niclosamide's effects on various cancer cell signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, mTORC1, STAT3, NF-κB, Notch).
• Examination of research on niclosamide's impact on cancer cell mitochondria, cell cycle, growth, apoptosis, and cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo models.

Main Results:

• Niclosamide effectively inhibits multiple cancer-promoting signaling pathways.
• The drug targets cancer cell mitochondria, leading to cell cycle arrest, growth inhibition, and apoptosis.
• Niclosamide demonstrates significant anticancer activity in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models.
• Evidence suggests niclosamide inhibits cancer stem cells, crucial for tumor recurrence and metastasis.

Conclusions:

• Niclosamide exhibits broad-spectrum anticancer properties through diverse molecular mechanisms.
• Its ability to target key signaling pathways and cancer stem cells positions it as a promising therapeutic agent.
• Further clinical investigation of niclosamide for cancer treatment is warranted.