Combination of niclosamide and current therapies to overcome resistance for cancer: New frontiers for an old drug

Abstract

Niclosamide is a drug used to treat parasitic infections. Recent studies have shown that niclosamide may have a wide range of clinical applications and can be used to treat cancer and other diseases. However, its application is also limited by its water solubility and safety, and drug resistance to cancer. To solve these problems, some studies have shown that niclosamide can be used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, targeted drugs, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy to enhance the anti-tumor effect. This review summarizes the drug combination strategies and therapeutic effect of niclosamide, to provide a reference for the combination therapy of niclosamide and wider application of antitumor drugs.

Keywords: Cancer; Drug combination therapy; Drug repurposing; Drug resistance; Niclosamide.