Development of small molecular immunomodulating anticancer drugs using mebendazol as template
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Uppsala universitet - Institutionen för immunologi, genetik och patologi |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 000 000 |
| Project duration | June 2016 - June 2017 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
The project goal is to develop a new type of immune activating cancer drug, to be be formulated for oral administration. We observed that mebendazole, now in use for parasitic infections, is cytotoxic to cancer cells but also activates macrophages to become anti-tumoral. Anti-cancer activity has been verified in a few pilot patients. We now plan for a clinical trial with a new formulation of mebendazole. In parallel we have synthesized mebendazol analogoues, tested them in our laboratory models and identified a few with properties as good as or better than those of mebendazole.
Expected long term effects
A new formulation or mebendazole to be used in the clinical trial is now under production. The study protocol is finalized an includes sampling for the identification of biomarkers for mebendazole activity. A number of mebendazole analogues have been synthesized and a few identified suitable for CD selection for further development. However, more analogues are to be synthesized prior to CD selection.
Approach and implementation
The clinical trial will include up to 50 patients with advanced cancer of gastrointestinal origin. Mebendazole analogues will be designed and synthesized in collaboration with a medicinal chemist, followed by testing in our in vitro models that allow us to identify molecules with properties making them suitable for CD selection and drug development.