Is ivermectin effective for cancer treatment?

Ivermectin in Cancer Treatment

Ivermectin is not recommended for cancer treatment as there is insufficient clinical evidence supporting its efficacy, despite some promising preclinical data. Current evidence does not support the use of ivermectin as a cancer therapeutic outside of clinical trials.

Current Evidence Assessment

Preclinical Evidence

• Ivermectin has shown antitumor effects in laboratory studies, including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in various cancer cell lines 1, 2
• Preclinical research demonstrates potential mechanisms including:
  • Inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines 3
  • Inactivation of PAK1 kinase in human ovarian cancer and NF2 tumor cell lines 4
  • Cell cycle arrest at G0-G1 phase in breast cancer cell lines 2

Clinical Evidence

• There are no large-scale randomized controlled trials demonstrating ivermectin's efficacy for cancer treatment in humans 1
• The gap between preclinical (laboratory) results and clinical application remains substantial 1
• A small observational study in Ecuador noted that 19% of cancer patients were taking ivermectin as an alternative therapy alongside conventional treatments, but without scientific validation of its effectiveness 5

Safety Concerns

• Self-medication with ivermectin for cancer treatment poses significant risks:
  • Potential toxicity in oncology patients 1
  • Diversion from proven, effective cancer therapies 1
  • Drug interactions with conventional cancer treatments have not been adequately studied

Clinical Guidance

• Ivermectin is FDA-approved only for specific parasitic infections (onchocerciasis and strongyloidiasis) and has no proven therapeutic utility for cancer 6
• The concentrations required for potential anticancer effects (5-20 μM) are considerably higher than those safely achievable in human plasma with standard dosing 2, 4
• Healthcare providers should caution patients against using ivermectin for cancer treatment outside of clinical trials 1

Potential Pitfalls and Caveats

• Social media and misinformation may lead patients to pursue ivermectin as an unproven cancer therapy 1
• While ivermectin is generally well-tolerated at antiparasitic doses, the higher doses potentially needed for anticancer effects may cause significant adverse effects 6
• Patients may be attracted to ivermectin due to its low cost and accessibility, particularly in resource-limited settings 6, 5

Future Directions

• Further clinical research through properly designed trials is needed to determine if ivermectin has any role in cancer treatment 1, 5
• Current evidence only supports ivermectin use within the context of clinical trials investigating its potential anticancer properties 2, 3

Despite some promising preclinical data, the lack of clinical evidence means that ivermectin should not be recommended for cancer treatment at this time. Patients should be directed toward evidence-based cancer therapies with proven efficacy for morbidity and mortality outcomes.