Repurposed Drugs for Cancer (Mast Cell Tumors) in Dogs | Dr. Lauren Barrow #228

It’s so exciting when a familiar drug in one area shows promise as a new treatment for another health problem. Researchers and clinicians pay attention, especially when the drug is inexpensive and easily tolerated.

Such is the case with Panacur (fenbendazole), a dewormer that has caught the attention of cancer researchers. It’s early days of studying its effects on cancer, but some people want to start using it now!

And no wonder. It’s mechanism of action is the same one used by several well-known cancer drugs! But would the high doses needed cause the same kind of severe long-term effects of other chemo drugs we’re already using?

Dr. Lauren Barrow joins us for a fascinating discussion prompted by listener Tracie’s question about her dog’s mast cell tumors. We talk about the thinking general practitioners engage in around repurposing drugs for cancer … and why a trip to the oncologist might be a good idea.

After all, oncologists (especially veterinary oncologists) are not just the keepers of insights and expertise about standard treatment methods … they are the researchers on the cutting edge of oncology. They’re the ones who research and repurpose drugs!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Show:

Podcast About Panacur (fenbendazole): https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/drugs/panacur-for-cancer-in-dogs-dr-nancy-reese-qa/

Article about Mast Cell Tumors: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/mast-cell-tumors-in-dogs/

Article about Benadryl: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/drugs/benadryl-for-dogs/

Article about oncologists

Related Links:

Podcast about Tagamet and Benadryl for Dogs: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/drugs/tagamet-and-benadryl-for-dogs-nancy-reese-dvm-mpvm-phd-deep-dive/

Chapters:

00:00 START                             

00:58 Tracie's Call                   

02:13 Worried About Chemotherapy; Are There Other Drugs?       

02:54 Panacur for Mast Cell Tumors?           

04:45 Other Drugs Kill Using Microtubules, Too: Chemotherapy Drugs      

05:14 Any Drug Used to Kill Cancer May Have Side Effects, Even Repurposed Drugs         

06:56 Any Other Repurposed Drugs for Mast Cell Tumors? 

07:12 Mast Cells Are Immune Cells That Release Histamine

07:35 Give Benadryl to Help with Histamine Symptoms       

08:56 Inflammatory Cascades Are Messy    

10:46 Grade Three Mast Cell Tumors Are Serious    

11:30 Find Out If There's Metastasis Already

11:54 This Is a Case for an Oncologist's Expertise     

13:36 Do Oncologists Respect the Word No?           

15:06 Chemotherapy in Humans Is Different

17:25 Oncologists Know More About Repurposed Drugs Because They Are the Researchers!      

18:46 Cutting Edge Therapies Are at the Onc's Office          

19:20 Palladia for Mast Cell Tumors 

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Get to know today's guest, Dr. Lauren Barrow: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/lauren-harper-barrow-dvm-cna/

For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/

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