From the Guidelines
Ivermectin should not be used for cancer treatment, but it has shown efficacy in treating inflammatory conditions such as rosacea, as evidenced by a pivotal phase 3 trial published in 2024 1. When considering the use of ivermectin for cancer treatment or inflammation, it is crucial to prioritize the most recent and highest quality evidence. The evidence from 1 suggests that ivermectin is not recommended for the treatment of COVID-19, which may imply its limited role in treating other conditions outside its approved use. However, for inflammatory conditions like rosacea, the use of ivermectin 1% cream has been FDA approved since 2014 and has demonstrated clinical improvement in reducing demodex mite density and improving cutaneous inflammatory markers 1. Some key points to consider include:
- Ivermectin's primary approval is as an antiparasitic medication, and its use for cancer or most inflammatory conditions would be off-label.
- The evidence for ivermectin in cancer treatment is limited to laboratory studies and has not translated to proven clinical benefits in human cancer patients.
- For rosacea, a condition characterized by inflammatory lesions, ivermectin 1% cream has shown significant efficacy and safety in clinical trials, including a pivotal phase 3 trial 1.
- Patients interested in using ivermectin for any purpose should consult with their healthcare providers to discuss potential benefits and risks, including adverse effects at high doses.
- More research is needed to fully understand ivermectin's potential in treating various conditions, but for rosacea, the current evidence supports its use as a topical treatment 1.
From the Research
Ivermectin in Cancer Treatment
- Ivermectin has been suggested to have anticancer effects by inhibiting the proliferation of tumorigenic cells through various pathways, leading to the management of certain cancers 2, 3.
- A study found that ivermectin induced cell cycle arrest at G0-G1 phase, with modulation of proteins associated with cell cycle control, in sensitive cancer cell lines such as breast and ovarian cancer cells 4.
- Ivermectin has also been shown to be synergistic with common cytotoxic drugs, such as docetaxel, cyclophosphamide, and tamoxifen, and reduced both cell viability and colony formation capacity in stem cell-enriched populations 4.
Ivermectin in Inflammation Treatment
- Ivermectin has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects by blocking the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of the activated B (NF-κB) pathway, which modulates the expression and production of proinflammatory cytokines 2.
- This anti-inflammatory effect has been implicated in the treatment of rosacea, and may also be relevant to other inflammatory conditions 2.
- Additionally, ivermectin has been suggested to have antiviral effects against a range of viruses, including COVID-19, which may also contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects 5, 6.
Clinical Applications
- The potential clinical applications of ivermectin beyond its traditional use as an anthelmintic agent are being explored, including its use in cancer treatment and inflammation treatment 2, 3, 4.
- Clinical trials are necessary to fully evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in these applications, but existing evidence suggests that it may be a useful adjunct to existing treatments 4, 6.