Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Targeted niclosamide shrank endometriosis lesions in mice
US researchers tested a targeted form of niclosamide in mice engineered to have endometriosis.
Niclosamide has been used for decades to treat tapeworm infections, but the usual oral form largely stays in the gut.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue like the womb lining grows elsewhere in the body, where it can cause pain, inflammation and scarring.
The targeted drug shrank abdominal lesions in the mice, according to the animal tests described.
Researchers attached the drug to a tiny, water-soluble structure designed to carry it to immune cells found in lesions and areas of inflammation.
Endometriosis can cause severe pain and is linked to infertility, while women in the UK take an average of more than nine years to receive a diagnosis.
The findings are from mice, not people, and no human testing or next steps are specified.
A targeted, water-soluble version of niclosamide shrank endometriosis lesions in mice, according to the story.
Researchers attached the drug to a dendrimer designed to carry it to immune cells found in lesions and areas of inflammation.
The researchers injected the drug-laden structure into the mice’s abdomens, near the lesions.
The work explores a possible new treatment for endometriosis, but the reported result is from animal tests.
- Who
- Researchers at Washington State University developed the drug delivery structure. Anjali Sharma of the University of Michigan was on the research team that tested niclosamide in mice.
- What
- A targeted version of niclosamide shrank endometriosis lesions in mice.
- When
- The article was published on 2026-10-19. The timing of the study is Not stated.
- Where
- The mice were injected in the abdomen, near the lesions. The researchers were in the US.
- Why
- The researchers aimed to address the fact that oral niclosamide does not dissolve easily in water and may not reach endometriosis lesions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers at Washington State University created a water-soluble dendrimer carrying niclosamide and folic acid.
Researchers injected the drug-laden structure into the abdomens of mice engineered to have endometriosis.
The targeted niclosamide shrank lesions in the mice.
- Drug
- Niclosamide, a drug used for decades to kill tapeworms
- Delivery structure
- A water-soluble, tree-shaped dendrimer containing folic acid
- Test subjects
- Mice engineered to have endometriosis
- Injection site
- Abdomen, near the lesions
- Published
- 2026-10-19