From the Guidelines
Ivermectin is not effective in treating throat cancer. There is no scientific evidence supporting the use of ivermectin, an antiparasitic medication, for the treatment of any type of cancer, including throat cancer. Throat cancers (such as laryngeal or pharyngeal cancers) are typically treated with established cancer therapies including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the specific type, stage, and location of the cancer. These treatments are determined by oncologists based on extensive clinical research demonstrating their effectiveness, as seen in the guidelines provided by 1. Ivermectin works by targeting specific parasitic organisms by interfering with their nervous systems, but cancer cells operate through entirely different mechanisms. Using unproven treatments like ivermectin could delay proper medical care and potentially worsen outcomes.
Some key points to consider in the treatment of throat cancer include:
- The optimal treatment strategy must be discussed in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) including not only the treating physicians but all the supportive specialties, as recommended by 1.
- Patients should be treated at high-volume facilities, and in case of radiation therapy, all patients should be treated by intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) 1.
- The treatment strategy for HPV-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) should be the same as HPV-negative SCCHN, and the recommended treatment option should be based on patient- and treatment-related factors 1.
- Early disease should be treated as much as possible with a single-modality treatment, and standard options for locally advanced disease are either surgery plus adjuvant (chemo)radiation or primary concomitant chemoradiation 1.
Anyone diagnosed with throat cancer should seek treatment from qualified medical professionals who specialize in oncology and follow evidence-based treatment protocols, as outlined in the guidelines provided by 1.
From the Research
Ivermectin and Throat Cancer
- There is limited research directly linking ivermectin to the treatment of throat cancer specifically. However, studies have explored its potential anticancer effects in various types of cancer, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, which is related to throat cancer in terms of anatomical proximity and shared risk factors.
- A study published in 2021 2 found that ivermectin induced apoptosis (cell death) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells via the mitochondrial pathway, suggesting its potential as an anticancer agent for this type of cancer.
- Other research has highlighted ivermectin's ability to interact with multiple targets involved in cancer progression, including the multidrug resistance protein, the Akt/mTOR and WNT-TCF pathways, and cancer-related epigenetic deregulators 3, 4.
- While these findings are promising, it's essential to note that the current evidence is primarily based on in vitro and in vivo studies, and more research is needed to fully understand ivermectin's potential as an anticancer drug, particularly for throat cancer.
- A study from 2023 5 discussed the use of ivermectin in cancer treatment in a specific region, noting that some patients use it as an alternative therapy, but it also emphasized the lack of scientific knowledge and authorization for such use, highlighting the need for further investigation.
Potential Mechanisms and Future Directions
- The potential anticancer mechanisms of ivermectin include inducing apoptosis, regulating multiple signaling pathways, and targeting cancer stem cells 3, 4.
- Further research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ivermectin in treating throat cancer and other types of cancer, including clinical trials to determine its effectiveness in humans 6, 5.
- The use of ivermectin as an anticancer drug is still experimental, and its application should be approached with caution, considering the current lack of comprehensive clinical evidence supporting its use for this purpose 5.