Is ivermectin effective for cancer treatment?

Ivermectin Is Not Effective for Cancer Treatment

Ivermectin should not be used for cancer treatment as there is no high-quality clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for this indication, and its use may divert patients from proven cancer therapies. 1

Current Evidence on Ivermectin for Cancer

Lack of Clinical Evidence

• Ivermectin is an FDA-approved anti-parasitic medication specifically indicated for:

  • Onchocerciasis (river blindness)
  • Strongyloidiasis
  • Off-label use for various other parasitic infections 1

• Despite some preliminary laboratory research, there are no approved clinical applications of ivermectin for cancer treatment:

  • No major cancer treatment guidelines recommend ivermectin
  • No high-quality randomized controlled trials demonstrate efficacy
  • No FDA approval exists for cancer-related indications

Preclinical Research Status

While some preclinical research exists, it remains highly preliminary:

• In vitro studies have shown potential mechanisms including:

  • Interaction with multidrug resistance protein (MDR) 2
  • Effects on Akt/mTOR and WNT-TCF pathways 2
  • Potential inhibition of PAK1 kinase in laboratory settings 3
  • Cell cycle arrest in G0-G1 phase in certain cancer cell lines 4

• The concentrations required for anti-cancer effects in laboratory studies (5-20 μM) may not be safely achievable in humans 4, 3

• A 2023 study from Ecuador found that some cancer patients were self-medicating with ivermectin, but medical specialists did not recommend this practice due to lack of scientific evidence 5

Potential Risks of Using Ivermectin for Cancer

Diversion from Effective Treatments

• Using unproven treatments like ivermectin may delay or replace established cancer therapies with proven survival benefits 1

• Similar to concerns raised about ivermectin for COVID-19, resources and attention may be diverted from evidence-based interventions 1

Safety Concerns

• Ivermectin has known side effects even at approved doses:

  • Dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain
  • Rash, pruritus
  • Potential for drug interactions 1

• Higher doses that might be required for theoretical anti-cancer effects could increase risk of adverse events

• Special populations require additional caution:

  • Pregnancy: Should ideally avoid until 1 month after finishing course 1
  • Breastfeeding: Very low levels excreted in breast milk 1

Clinical Decision Making

For patients inquiring about ivermectin for cancer:

1. Explain the lack of evidence: Clearly communicate that no high-quality clinical evidence supports ivermectin for cancer treatment

2. Discuss established treatments: Focus on evidence-based cancer therapies appropriate for the patient's specific cancer type and stage

3. Address research context: Explain that while some laboratory research exists, this is far from clinical application and does not support current use

4. Consider clinical trials: If patients are interested in investigational approaches, direct them to appropriate clinical trials of promising agents

Conclusion

The current evidence does not support the use of ivermectin for cancer treatment. While some preclinical research shows potential mechanisms of action against cancer cells, there is a significant gap between these laboratory findings and clinical application. Patients should be directed toward established cancer treatments with proven efficacy rather than unproven alternatives like ivermectin.