Is Ivermectin (antiparasitic medication) effective for cancer treatment?

From the Guidelines

Ivermectin is not currently recommended for cancer treatment. The primary consideration in cancer care is whether an intervention can improve the quality of life or survival of patients with advanced cancer, and this should be evaluated based on the type of cancer, effectiveness of therapy, and the patient’s overall condition and comorbidities 1. While some laboratory studies may suggest potential anti-cancer properties of ivermectin, there is insufficient clinical evidence from human trials to support its use as a cancer therapy.

Key Considerations

• Ivermectin is primarily approved as an antiparasitic medication, and its mechanisms of action against parasites are different from the cellular processes involved in cancer development and progression.
• Cancer treatment requires therapies with proven efficacy through rigorous clinical trials, and patients should rely on established treatments such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies as recommended by oncologists.
• Using unproven treatments like ivermectin for cancer could delay effective treatment and potentially cause harm, as emphasized in guidelines that suggest interventions with insufficient evidence of efficacy or unknown toxicity should typically not be considered outside the context of a clinical trial 1.
• The focus of cancer care should be on providing care consistent with patients’ preferences whenever possible, while also ensuring that treatments offered have a reasonable chance of working and providing meaningful clinical benefit 1.

Recommendations

• Patients exploring cancer treatment options should consult with qualified oncologists who can provide evidence-based recommendations tailored to their specific cancer type and stage.
• Anticancer therapy should be considered only when it has a reasonable chance of working and providing meaningful clinical benefit, and the decision to pursue such therapy should be made after discussing the potential benefits and risks with the patient 1.
• For patients with advanced cancer, the goal of treatment may shift from prolonging life to maintaining quality of life, and options such as palliative care or hospice should be considered and discussed in a way that respects the patient’s preferences and values 1.

From the Research

Effectiveness of Ivermectin in Cancer Treatment

• The use of ivermectin as an alternative therapy for cancer treatment has been explored in various studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• A study published in 2023 found that 19% of participants diagnosed with cancer used ivermectin-based medicines as an alternative therapy, although specialists noted that there is no scientific knowledge about the application of these treatments in humans and do not recommend their use 2.
• In contrast, other studies have shown that ivermectin exhibits antitumor effects in preclinical studies, and its antitumor effects are observable at clinically feasible drug concentrations 3.
• Ivermectin has been found to induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy in various cancer cell lines, including lung adenocarcinoma cells 4.
• The potential of ivermectin as an anticancer drug has been reviewed, highlighting its ability to inhibit the proliferation of several tumor cells by regulating multiple signaling pathways 5.
• Ivermectin has also been shown to exhibit potent anticancer activity against gemcitabine-resistant cholangiocarcinoma cells in vitro 6.

Mechanisms of Ivermectin in Cancer Treatment

• Ivermectin has been found to downregulate PAK1 protein expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells, leading to nonprotective autophagy and apoptosis 4.
• The drug has also been shown to induce cell cycle arrest at the G0-G1 phase, with modulation of proteins associated with cell cycle control 3.
• Ivermectin has been found to be synergistic with common cytotoxic drugs, such as docetaxel, cyclophosphamide, and tamoxifen 3.

Clinical Implications

• While some studies suggest that ivermectin may be a potential anticancer drug, further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms and efficacy in cancer treatment 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The use of ivermectin as a cancer treatment is not currently recommended due to the lack of scientific knowledge about its application in humans 2.