From the Guidelines
Ivermectin is not approved or recommended as a treatment for pancreatic cancer in the United States. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2021 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, does not mention ivermectin as a treatment option for pancreatic cancer. Instead, it recommends a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer.
Some key points to consider when evaluating treatment options for pancreatic cancer include:
- The importance of multidisciplinary consultation at high-volume centers with use of appropriate imaging studies 1
- The need for increasing participation in clinical trials to make progress in this disease 1
- The use of evidence-based therapies, such as gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX, or nab-paclitaxel, which have demonstrated efficacy and safety in clinical trials 1
While some laboratory studies have suggested potential anti-cancer properties of ivermectin in cell cultures, these findings have not translated to proven clinical benefits in human cancer patients. Patients with pancreatic cancer should work with oncologists who specialize in this disease to develop appropriate treatment plans using evidence-based therapies rather than pursuing unproven treatments like ivermectin, which could delay effective care and potentially cause harm.
In terms of current research studies in the United States, the 2021 NCCN Guidelines for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma emphasize the importance of clinical trials in making progress in this disease 1. However, there is no mention of ivermectin as a treatment option or a focus of current research studies. The American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline, published in 2016, also does not mention ivermectin as a treatment option for pancreatic cancer 1.
Overall, the current evidence does not support the use of ivermectin as a treatment for pancreatic cancer, and patients should prioritize evidence-based therapies and participation in clinical trials under the guidance of a specialized oncologist.
From the Research
Ivermectin and Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
- There are research studies investigating the use of ivermectin in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, as seen in studies 2, 3, and 4.
- A 2022 study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that the combination of ivermectin and gemcitabine induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells via mitochondrial dysfunction 2.
- Another study from 2025 published in Anticancer Research demonstrated that ivermectin combined with recombinant methioninase (rMETase) synergistically eradicated MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells 3.
- Additionally, a 2009 study published in Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics found that ivermectin inactivated the kinase PAK1 and blocked the PAK1-dependent growth of human ovarian cancer and NF2 tumor cell lines, including pancreatic cancer 4.
Ivermectin Use in Cancer Treatment
- A 2023 study published in Nursing Reports analyzed the use of ivermectin as a cancer treatment in a rural area of Ecuador and found that 19% of participants diagnosed with cancer used ivermectin-based medicines as alternative therapy 5.
- However, the study also noted that there is no scientific knowledge about the application of ivermectin in humans, and specialists do not recommend its use as an anticancer treatment 5.
Efficacy and Safety of Ivermectin
- The current evidence on the efficacy and safety of ivermectin for pancreatic cancer treatment is limited and mostly based on in vitro and animal studies 2, 3, and 4.
- More research is needed to fully understand the potential of ivermectin as a treatment for pancreatic cancer and to determine its safety and efficacy in humans 2, 3, and 5.