From the Guidelines
Ivermectin does not treat cancer, and patients should follow established treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies prescribed by oncologists. The provided evidence does not support the use of ivermectin as an effective cancer treatment in humans. Ivermectin is an FDA-approved medication primarily used to treat certain parasitic infections like river blindness and intestinal strongyloidiasis, and it also has veterinary applications for treating parasites in animals. Despite some laboratory studies showing potential effects on cancer cells in test tubes, these findings have not translated to proven benefits in actual cancer patients.
Some key points to consider:
- The American Society of Clinical Oncology statement emphasizes the importance of evaluating and explaining available therapeutic options to patients with advanced cancer, including both potential benefits and risks of therapy 1.
- The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer recommend fluoropyrimidine, platinum, and taxanes as the main therapeutic drugs for late-stage gastric cancer, with no mention of ivermectin as a treatment option 1.
- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for breast cancer and bladder cancer also do not mention ivermectin as a treatment option 1.
- The use of unproven treatments like ivermectin may delay effective care and potentially cause harm through side effects or interactions with legitimate cancer treatments.
In conclusion, the current evidence does not support the use of ivermectin as a treatment for cancer, and patients should follow established treatment plans recommended by qualified healthcare providers.
From the Research
Ivermectin's Antitumor Effects
- Ivermectin has been found to cause cell death in cancer cell lines by inducing PAK1-mediated cytostatic autophagy, caspase-dependent apoptosis, and immunogenic cell death (ICD) through the modulation of some pathways, including the WNT-T cell factor (TCF), Hippo, and Akt/mTOR pathways 2.
- The antitumor effects of ivermectin are observable at clinically feasible drug concentrations, supporting its clinical development as a repositioned cancer drug 3.
- Ivermectin inhibits tumor metastasis by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin/integrin β1/FAK signaling pathway, which provides a rationale for exploring its potential clinical application in the prevention and treatment of cancer metastasis 4.
Clinical Application and Research
- Many studies have proven that ivermectin exerts antitumour effects and might thus benefit patients with cancer after sufficient clinical trials 2.
- A study in Loja-Ecuador found that 19% of participants diagnosed with cancer used ivermectin as an alternative therapy, and although they reported improvements in their health, specialists do not recommend its application due to the lack of scientific knowledge about its use in humans 5.
- Ivermectin has been reported to inhibit the proliferation of several tumor cells by regulating multiple signaling pathways, suggesting that it may be an anticancer drug with great potential 6.
Mechanisms of Action
- Ivermectin can affect the growth and proliferation of cancer cells and plays several different roles, such as its functions as an RNA helicase, a small-molecule mimetic of the surface-induced dissociation (SID) peptide, an activator of chloride channel receptors, and an inducer of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress 2.
- Ivermectin induces the multidrug resistance protein (MDR), has potent anti-mitotic activity, targets angiogenesis, and inhibits cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) 2.