Oxfendazole in Mild Parenchymal Brain Cysticercosis

This three-arm randomized controlled phase II/III clinical trial will compare the efficacy and safety of a single-dose regimen with 20 mg/kg oxfendazole and a regimen with three similar doses spread over seven days (day 1, day 4 and day 7), with the most effective antiparasitic regimen available, combined albendazole plus praziquantel for ten days in individuals with mild NCC (with one to two lesions). Participants will receive treatment with oxfendazole (one or three dose regimens) or the standard treatment (albendazole + praziquantel). At day 15 after treatment onset, an MRI will be performed to evaluate early predictors of lesion resolution. MRI at day 90 will serve to evaluate efficacy (lesion resolution) and a day 180 MRI will evaluate sequelae lesions. CT will be performed at the en of the study to confirm persistence of calcified sequelae lesion. The study will enroll 544 patients with viable or degenerating parenchymal NCC with no more than two lesions, all in a single brain area. Lesions can be one or two adjacent, viable or degenerating NCC lesions. Patients with only calcified lesions will not be included even if they show perilesional contrast enhancement.