From the Guidelines
Ivermectin is not an approved or effective treatment for cancer. While there have been some laboratory studies suggesting that ivermectin might have anti-cancer properties in cell cultures, there is no reliable clinical evidence supporting its use as a cancer treatment in humans, as emphasized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology statement that interventions with insufficient evidence of efficacy or unknown toxicity should typically not be considered outside the highly regulated context of a clinical trial 1. Ivermectin is primarily an antiparasitic medication approved for treating certain parasitic infections like river blindness, strongyloidiasis, and scabies.
Key Points to Consider
- Cancer requires specific evidence-based treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, surgery, or targeted therapies that have been thoroughly tested and proven effective through clinical trials.
- Using unproven treatments like ivermectin for cancer could delay proper medical care and potentially worsen outcomes, as noted in the guidelines that suggest stopping further cancer-directed therapy for patients with markedly poor performance status or lack of response to two prior chemotherapies 1.
- Anyone diagnosed with cancer should work with oncologists and follow established medical protocols rather than pursuing alternative treatments without scientific support.
- If you have cancer or suspect you might have cancer, please consult with qualified healthcare professionals who specialize in oncology for appropriate diagnosis and treatment options, as they can evaluate and explain the available therapeutic options, including both potential benefits and risks of therapy 1.
From the Research
Ivermectin as a Potential Cancer Treatment
- Ivermectin, an antiparasitic medication, has been studied for its potential antitumor effects in various cancer cell lines 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Research has shown that ivermectin can induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy in cancer cells, and can also inhibit tumor metastasis by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin/integrin β1/FAK signaling pathway 2, 3, 4.
- Some studies have found that ivermectin is synergistic with common cytotoxic drugs, such as docetaxel, cyclophosphamide, and tamoxifen, and can reduce cell viability and colony formation capacity in stem cell-enriched populations 2, 3.
- However, there is limited clinical evidence to support the use of ivermectin as a cancer treatment, and more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks 6.
Mechanisms of Action
- Ivermectin has been found to modulate multiple signaling pathways, including the WNT-T cell factor (TCF), Hippo, and Akt/mTOR pathways, which can lead to the inhibition of cancer cell growth and proliferation 3, 4, 5.
- Ivermectin can also induce mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, and can affect the growth and proliferation of cancer cells by regulating the expression of migration-related proteins 3, 4.
Clinical Applications
- While ivermectin has shown promise as a potential anticancer drug, its clinical application is still in the early stages of research, and more studies are needed to determine its safety and efficacy in humans 2, 3, 6, 4, 5.
- Some studies have reported that patients with cancer have used ivermectin as an alternative therapy, but the medical opinion is that there is no authorization to prescribe ivermectin as a cancer treatment, and its use should be approached with caution 6.