Can Ivermectin (anti-parasitic medication) cure cancer?

Ivermectin Does Not Cure Cancer

Ivermectin has no proven efficacy in treating cancer and should not be used for this purpose. 1, 2

Current Evidence on Ivermectin for Cancer

Approved Uses of Ivermectin

• Ivermectin is an FDA-approved antiparasitic medication specifically for:
  • Onchocerciasis (river blindness)
  • Strongyloidiasis
  • Off-label use for other parasitic infections 1
  • Alternative treatment for pediculosis pubis (pubic lice) at a dose of 250μg/kg repeated in 2 weeks 1
  • Treatment option for severe or crusted scabies 3

Preclinical Evidence vs. Clinical Reality

• While laboratory studies show potential anticancer effects through various mechanisms:

  • Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation
  • Induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death)
  • Modulation of signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Akt/mTOR)
  • Potential inhibition of tumor metastasis 2, 4, 5, 6

• These effects are primarily observed in:

  • In vitro (laboratory) studies
  • Animal models
  • At concentrations that may not be safely achievable in humans 2, 5

Critical Lack of Clinical Evidence

• No large-scale randomized controlled trials demonstrate efficacy against any cancer type 2
• No clinical guidelines recommend ivermectin for cancer treatment 1, 2
• The gap between preclinical research and clinical application remains substantial 2

Risks of Using Ivermectin for Cancer

Patient Harm

• Self-medication with ivermectin for cancer can lead to:
  • Toxicity, especially at high doses
  • Delay in receiving proven effective cancer treatments
  • False hope based on unproven therapies 2

Inappropriate Use

• In some regions, patients have turned to veterinary formulations of ivermectin intended for livestock, which:
  • Are not formulated for human use
  • May contain harmful additives
  • Have inappropriate dosing for humans 7

Current Cancer Treatment Recommendations

• Standard cancer treatments with proven efficacy include:

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Hormone therapy

• These treatments should not be abandoned in favor of unproven alternatives like ivermectin 2

Conclusion

Despite some promising preclinical research, there is insufficient clinical evidence to support the use of ivermectin as a cancer treatment. Patients should be directed toward evidence-based cancer therapies with proven efficacy rather than experimental or unproven treatments like ivermectin. The potential anticancer properties of ivermectin require proper clinical trials before any recommendations for its use in oncology can be made.