Does ivermectin destroy cancer stem cells?

Ivermectin's Effect on Cancer Stem Cells

Ivermectin does not have established clinical evidence for destroying cancer stem cells, and is not approved for cancer treatment. While some preclinical research suggests potential antitumor effects, this has not translated to clinical practice or guideline recommendations.

Current Understanding of Ivermectin and Cancer

• Ivermectin is primarily an antiparasitic medication used for conditions like onchocerciasis, not a cancer treatment 1
• The inability to destroy residual cancer cells despite initial chemosensitivity suggests the existence of cancer stem cells that are relatively resistant to cytotoxic therapy, but established treatments do not include ivermectin 1
• Current guidelines for cancer treatment, including those for small cell lung cancer, do not recommend ivermectin as a therapeutic option 1

Preclinical Research on Ivermectin in Cancer

• Laboratory studies have investigated ivermectin's potential anticancer effects through several mechanisms:

  • Inducing PAK1-mediated cytostatic autophagy 2, 3
  • Affecting the WNT-TCF, Hippo, and Akt/mTOR pathways 2, 4
  • Potentially targeting cancer stem-like cells in preclinical models 2, 4
  • Showing some antitumor effects at concentrations of 5 μM in certain breast and ovarian cancer cell lines 5

• However, these are preliminary findings that have not been validated in clinical trials 2, 4, 5

Clinical Perspective and Limitations

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

  • No clinical trials have established efficacy against cancer stem cells 6
  • Medical specialists do not recommend ivermectin for cancer treatment due to lack of clinical evidence 6
  • Current cancer treatment guidelines do not include ivermectin 1

• Unauthorized use of ivermectin for cancer treatment has been documented in some regions, but this practice is not supported by medical evidence 6

Safety Considerations

• Ivermectin has established safety profiles for its approved indications (parasitic infections), but not for cancer treatment 1
• Serious adverse events can occur with ivermectin, particularly in patients with high Loa loa microfilarial loads, highlighting the importance of using medications only for approved indications 1
• Cardiac considerations exist when administering ivermectin, particularly in patients with certain cardiac conditions 7

Conclusion

While some laboratory research suggests potential mechanisms by which ivermectin might affect cancer cells, including cancer stem cells, there is insufficient clinical evidence to support its use for cancer treatment. Current cancer treatment guidelines do not recommend ivermectin, and patients should adhere to established, evidence-based cancer therapies under proper medical supervision.