Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells
09:37

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells

Published on: August 25, 2021

2.2K

Repurposing mebendazole to reprogram oncogenic and tumor-suppressor networks: Multi-cancer insights from ENOX2, MMP2,

Rasha Shaker Aqel1, Areej Sami Ismail1, Mohamed El-Tanani2

  • 1Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan.

Plos One
|March 26, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mebendazole reprograms cancer cell networks by downregulating oncogenes ENOX2 and MMP2, and upregulating tumor suppressors RASSF1A and WFDC10A, showing potential as an anticancer agent.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Repurposing

Background:

  • Cancer progression involves complex regulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressors.
  • This study investigates the interplay of ENOX2, MMP2, RASSF1A, WFDC10A, and METTL7A in various cancer cell lines.
  • The anticancer potential of repurposed mebendazole is evaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the regulatory network of specific oncogenes and tumor suppressors in cancer.
  • To assess the impact of mebendazole on these regulatory genes.
  • To identify potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized qRT-PCR and Western blotting to profile eight human cancer cell lines.
  • Assessed gene expression under basal conditions and after mebendazole treatment (0.7 µM).

Main Results:

  • Elevated ENOX2 and MMP2 were observed in aggressive cancer cell lines.
  • Mebendazole significantly downregulated ENOX2 and MMP2, indicating anti-invasive effects.
  • Tumor suppressors RASSF1A and WFDC10A were selectively induced by mebendazole, with cell-type-specific modulation observed for METTL7A.

Conclusions:

  • ENOX2-MMP2 signaling drives invasion and metastasis in cancer.
  • Mebendazole effectively reprograms oncogenic-tumor suppressor networks.
  • Mebendazole shows translational potential as a cost-effective anticancer agent, supporting multi-gene biomarker development for aggressive malignancies.

More Related Videos

Genome-wide RNAi Screening to Identify Host Factors That Modulate Oncolytic Virus Therapy08:51

Genome-wide RNAi Screening to Identify Host Factors That Modulate Oncolytic Virus Therapy

Published on: April 3, 2018

9.6K
Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

8.1K

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.4K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
10.0K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

3.0K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.3K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

2.0K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
6.2K