Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026
Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
Repurposing Albendazole: new potential as a chemotherapeutic agent with preferential activity against HPV-negative
Farhad Ghasemi1, Morgan Black1,2, Frederick Vizeacoumar3
1Department of Otolaryngology, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Albendazole is an anti-helminthic drug that has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer properties, however its activity in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) was unknown. Using a series of in vitro assays, we assessed the ability of albendazole to inhibit proliferation in 20 HNSCC cell lines across a range of albendazole doses (1 nM-10 μM). Cell lines that responded to treatment were further examined for cell death, inhibition of migration and cell cycle arrest. Thirteen of fourteen human papillomavirus-negative HNSCC cell lines responded to albendazole, with an average IC50 of 152 nM. In contrast, only 3 of 6 human papillomavirus-positive HNSCC cell lines responded. Albendazole treatment resulted in apoptosis, inhibition of cell migration, cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and altered tubulin distribution. Normal control cells were not measurably affected by any dose tested. This study indicates that albendazole acts to inhibit the proliferation of human papillomavirus-negative HNSCC cell lines and thus warrants further study as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for patients suffering from head and neck cancer.
Insights
Albendazole effectively inhibits head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) proliferation, particularly in human papillomavirus-negative types. This anti-helminthic drug shows promise as a potential chemotherapy agent for HNSCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Albendazole, an anti-helminthic, has demonstrated anti-cancer properties.
- Its efficacy against head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) remained uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate albendazole's anti-cancer activity in HNSCC cell lines.
- To determine its effects on proliferation, cell death, migration, and cell cycle.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays were performed on 20 HNSCC cell lines across varying albendazole concentrations (1 nM-10 μM).
- Responded cell lines underwent further analysis for apoptosis, migration inhibition, and cell cycle arrest.
- Normal control cells were used for comparison.
Main Results:
- Albendazole inhibited proliferation in 13 of 14 human papillomavirus-negative HNSCC cell lines (average IC50: 152 nM).
- Only 3 of 6 human papillomavirus-positive HNSCC cell lines responded.
- Observed effects included apoptosis, reduced cell migration, G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, and altered tubulin distribution.
- Normal cells showed no significant impact.
Conclusions:
- Albendazole demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on human papillomavirus-negative HNSCC cell proliferation.
- The drug warrants further investigation as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for head and neck cancer.
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