From the Guidelines
Ivermectin should not be used to treat Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive type of skin cancer that requires established medical treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy 1. While ivermectin is an FDA-approved medication for treating certain parasitic infections in humans and animals, there is no scientific evidence supporting its use for Merkel cell carcinoma. The standard treatment approach for Merkel cell carcinoma typically involves surgical removal of the tumor, often followed by radiation therapy to reduce recurrence risk 1. For advanced cases, immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab or avelumab may be recommended as they help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells 1. These treatments have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials specifically for Merkel cell carcinoma. Using unproven treatments like ivermectin could delay proper medical care and potentially allow the cancer to progress, worsening outcomes for patients with this serious condition.
Some key points to consider in the management of Merkel cell carcinoma include:
- The importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as the disease can progress rapidly 1
- The role of Merkel cell polyomavirus as a biomarker in the diagnosis and management of the disease 1
- The use of checkpoint immunotherapies in the treatment of advanced disease 1
- The need for a multidisciplinary approach to care, involving surgery, radiation therapy, and medical oncology 1
It is essential to note that ivermectin has a different indication, such as treating parasitic infections 1, and its use in Merkel cell carcinoma is not supported by scientific evidence. The most effective approach to managing Merkel cell carcinoma is to use established treatments that have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials.
From the Research
Merle's Cell Carcinoma Treatment
- The standard treatment approach for localized Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is wide surgical excision followed by adjuvant radiotherapy 2.
- Radiotherapy can be an effective, less morbid alternative to surgery, especially for advanced MCCs in anatomically challenging locations, with complete and durable control achieved in up to 90% of cases 2.
- Adjuvant radiotherapy is increasingly supported by observational data, suggesting a regimen of surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy is associated with both a lower loco-regional recurrence rate and longer overall survival when compared with surgery alone 3.
Role of Chemotherapy
- A role for adjuvant chemotherapy is not well supported, with lack of evidence for improved survival, associated morbidity and mortality, and important differences between small-cell lung cancer and MCC 3.
- Chemotherapy suppresses immune function, which plays an unusually large role in defending the host from the development and progression of MCC, making adjuvant chemotherapy not recommended for routine use 3.
Emerging Therapies
- Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) may be a viable option for refractory metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC), with somatostatin receptors expressed on the tumor cells 4.
- Immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy are also being explored as potential treatments for MCC, with further perspective studies and clinical trials warranted to provide reliable evidence of effectiveness 5, 6.
Ivermectin
- There is no mention of ivermectin in the provided studies as a treatment for Merle's cell carcinoma.