Testing a new medicine called oxfendazole for brain cysts
Official title: A multicenter, randomized controlled trial of single and multiple dose regimes of oxfendazole for mild (one or two lesions) parenchymal brain cysticercosis
Funded at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia · NIH-11101260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is exploring if a new medicine, oxfendazole, can help people with one or two brain cysts caused by a parasite.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lima, Peru) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $941,896 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI177191-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11101260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals diagnosed with mild parenchymal brain cysticercosis, meaning they have one or two brain cysts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without brain cysts caused by the Taenia solium parasite, or those with many cysts, may not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.
What this research studies
Many people, especially in developing countries and immigrant communities, experience brain cysts from a parasite called Taenia solium, which can lead to seizures. Current treatments, like albendazole, help destroy these cysts but are not always fully effective, especially for those with only one or two lesions. This project is testing a new anti-parasitic medicine called oxfendazole to see if it works better. We will compare single and three-dose regimens of oxfendazole to find the most effective and easiest way to treat these brain cysts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this medicine could offer a more effective and easier treatment option for people suffering from brain cysts caused by this parasite, potentially reducing seizures.
How similar studies have gone: While existing anti-parasitic treatments like albendazole are used for brain cysticercosis, oxfendazole is a newer agent being explored for human use, aiming for increased efficacy.
Where this research is happening
-
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Lima, Peru Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia, Hector Hugo — Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
- Study coordinator: Garcia, Hector Hugo
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.