Fenbendazole as a Treatment for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Case Report

Ann Hematol Oncol. 2020; 7(2): 1284.

Fenbendazole as a Treatment for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Abughanimeh O1*, Evans T2 and Kallam A1

¹Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center/Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, USA

²Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA

*Corresponding author: Abughanimeh O, Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center/Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, 986840 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE. 68498, USA

Received: December 24, 2019; Accepted: February 18, 2020; Published: February 25, 2020

Abstract

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) [1]. It is an aggressive disease where patients present with constitutional symptoms and rapidly enlarging lymphadenopathy, requiring urgent treatment [1]. Fenbendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic that is commonly used to treat animals’ gastrointestinal parasitic infections [2,3]. Herein, we present a case of stage IVa DLBCL where patient declined chemotherapy, instead he took Fenbendazole which resulted in regression of his DLBCL.

Keywords: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; DLBCL; Fenbendazole

Abbreviations

DLBCL: Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma; NHL: Non- Hodgkin Lymphoma; EGD: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy; FISH: Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization; PET/CT: Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

Case Presentation

An 83-year-old male, presented with heartburn, trouble swallowing, and fatigue. An Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed superficial duodenal ulcer which was biopsied and revealed DLBCL, GCB subtype. Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) was negative for c-MYC, BCL2 and BCL6. A Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scan revealed hyper-metabolic activity in the distal gastric antrum, proximal duodenum, peri-aortic lymph node, and pulmonary nodules. Patient was staged as stage Iva, and was offered chemotherapy, but he declined treatment due to side effect profile.

He started to take fenbendazole 1g daily based on self-research (used to take between 1-6 tabs daily based on his symptoms). After 6 months, he cut down fenbendazole to 1-3 tabs daily due to peripheral neuropathy. He presented to his primary care physician who obtained a repeated CT scan which revealed smaller mediastinal lymph nodes. After 2 months, he decided to follow with oncology, so he had repeated PET/CT scan which revealed improved lymphadenopathy from prior scans (Figure 1).

Citation: Abughanimeh O, Evans T and Kallam A. Fenbendazole as a Treatment for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Ann Hematol Oncol. 2020; 7(2): 1284.