From the Guidelines
Ivermectin is not currently recommended as an effective treatment for colon cancer. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2025 by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology 1, provides comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer, but does not mention ivermectin as a recommended treatment. Instead, the guidelines recommend standard treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy (e.g., FOLFOX or FOLFIRI regimens), radiation therapy, and targeted therapies (e.g., bevacizumab, cetuximab) depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer. These established treatments have demonstrated efficacy through rigorous clinical trials, and their use is supported by strong clinical evidence.
Key points to consider:
- The guidelines emphasize the importance of targeted therapies, such as bevacizumab and cetuximab, in the treatment of colorectal cancer, particularly in patients with specific molecular profiles (e.g., RAS wild-type, BRAF V600E mutation) 1.
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, are also recommended for patients with MSI-H/dMMR advanced colorectal cancer, based on the results of clinical trials such as KEYNOTE-177 and CheckMate142 1.
- Other treatments, such as regorafenib, fruquintinib, and trifluridine/tipiracil, are also approved for use in advanced colorectal cancer, but their use is generally reserved for patients who have failed standard treatments 1.
In contrast, ivermectin has not been shown to have proven clinical benefits in human patients with colon cancer, despite some laboratory studies suggesting potential anti-cancer properties. Therefore, it is not recommended to use ivermectin as a treatment for colon cancer, and patients should instead follow treatment plans recommended by oncologists and colorectal specialists. Using unproven treatments like ivermectin could delay effective therapy and potentially worsen outcomes.
From the Research
Efficacy of Ivermectin in Treating Colon Cancer
- Ivermectin has been shown to possess anti-tumor properties, and its effectiveness in treating colon cancer has been investigated in several studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- A study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that ivermectin dose-dependently inhibited colorectal cancer cell growth, promoted cell apoptosis, and increased Caspase-3/7 activity 2.
- Another study published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal found that ivermectin had a chemoprotective role against colon cancer induced by dimethylhydrazine in male Wistar rats, and that it triggered apoptosis in treated groups compared to untreated control groups 3.
Mechanism of Action
- The mechanism of action of ivermectin in treating colon cancer involves promoting ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and inducing S phase arrest in CRC cells 2.
- Ivermectin has also been shown to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin/integrin β1/FAK signaling pathway, which is involved in tumor metastasis 5.
- A study published in Anticancer Research found that the combination of ivermectin and recombinant methioninase had selective synergistic anti-cancer efficacy against colon-cancer cells 4.
Clinical Application
- While some studies suggest that ivermectin may be a potential anticancer drug therapy for human colorectal cancer, more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety in humans 2, 3, 4.
- A study published in Nursing Reports found that some patients in Loja-Ecuador use ivermectin as an alternative therapy for cancer treatment, but that there is no scientific knowledge about the application of this treatment in humans, and that specialists do not recommend its use 6.