Can ivermectin and fenbendazole be used as primary treatments for cancer?

Ivermectin and Fenbendazole Are Not Recommended for Cancer Treatment

Ivermectin and fenbendazole should not be used as primary treatments for cancer as there is no clinical evidence supporting their efficacy for this purpose, and using these medications may delay proven cancer therapies, potentially increasing mortality risk.

Current Evidence on Ivermectin for Cancer

Preclinical vs. Clinical Evidence

• While preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) have shown some anticancer properties of ivermectin, including:

  • Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation
  • Induction of apoptosis
  • Modulation of signaling pathways like Wnt/β-catenin and Akt/mTOR 1
  • Effects on multidrug resistance protein (MDR) 2

• There is a critical translational gap between laboratory findings and clinical application:

  • No large-scale randomized controlled trials demonstrate therapeutic benefits in humans 1
  • Current evidence is limited to preclinical studies and lacks clinical validation

Safety Concerns

• Ivermectin has established safety profiles for its approved parasitic indications, but:
  • Doses required for potential anticancer effects may exceed safe clinical ranges
  • Self-medication based on unproven claims can lead to toxicity in cancer patients 1
  • May cause adverse effects including dizziness, headache, nausea, and more serious reactions in certain populations 3

Current Evidence on Fenbendazole for Cancer

• Even less clinical evidence exists for fenbendazole as a cancer treatment
• No clinical trials or guidelines support its use in human cancer therapy
• Primarily used as a veterinary anthelmintic medication

Approved Uses of Ivermectin

Ivermectin is FDA-approved and clinically indicated for specific parasitic conditions:

• Strongyloidiasis 3
• Onchocerciasis 3
• Treatment of certain ectoparasites like scabies (at specific doses) 4

The Infectious Diseases Society of America explicitly recommends against ivermectin for non-parasitic conditions, noting "it has no proven therapeutic utility" beyond its anti-parasitic indications 3.

Risks of Using Unproven Cancer Treatments

Delay in Effective Treatment

• Using unproven treatments like ivermectin or fenbendazole may delay initiation of evidence-based cancer therapies
• This delay can allow cancer progression, reducing chances of successful treatment and survival

False Hope and Financial Exploitation

• Unproven treatments may provide false hope to vulnerable patients
• May lead to financial exploitation through expensive unproven regimens

Drug Interactions

• Ivermectin has known interactions with multiple medications including:
  • Anticoagulants
  • Certain antimicrobials
  • Immunosuppressants and other medications 3
• These interactions could complicate standard cancer treatment regimens

Current Status of Research

While some researchers suggest ivermectin has potential for cancer treatment that warrants further investigation 2, 5, 6, the critical point remains:

• Potential does not equal proven efficacy
• Clinical trials are needed before any recommendations can be made
• Current evidence does not support clinical use for cancer

Conclusion

Healthcare providers should counsel patients that:

• Ivermectin and fenbendazole are not approved or recommended for cancer treatment
• Patients should adhere to evidence-based cancer therapies recommended by oncologists
• Participation in properly designed clinical trials is the appropriate way to investigate new cancer treatments

Patients interested in emerging therapies should be directed to discuss clinical trial options with their oncologists rather than pursuing unproven treatments outside medical supervision.