From the Guidelines
Ivermectin is not currently recommended as a cancer treatment due to insufficient clinical evidence supporting its use for this purpose. While some laboratory studies have shown that ivermectin may have anti-cancer properties by affecting certain cellular pathways, the doses used in these studies are typically much higher than what would be safe in humans 1. Ivermectin is primarily an anti-parasitic medication approved for treating conditions like river blindness, strongyloidiasis, and certain external parasites such as head lice.
Established Cancer Treatments
Cancer patients should instead rely on established treatments such as:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapies as recommended by oncologists. These proven treatments have substantial evidence supporting their efficacy and safety profiles, as seen in studies on the combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy, which has become a standard of care in several cancer types 1.
Experimental Cancer Treatments
Anyone interested in experimental cancer treatments should discuss clinical trials with their oncologist rather than self-medicating with ivermectin, as improper use could lead to side effects without providing cancer-fighting benefits. The search for new cancer treatments is ongoing, but medications should only be used for cancer when clinical trials demonstrate their effectiveness and safety for this specific purpose.
Key Considerations
Some key points to consider include:
- The lack of clinical evidence supporting ivermectin's use in cancer treatment
- The potential for side effects when using ivermectin at high doses
- The importance of relying on established treatments with proven efficacy and safety profiles
- The need for further research and clinical trials to develop new and effective cancer treatments.
From the Research
Ivermectin and Cancer Research
- Ivermectin has been found to exhibit antitumor effects in preclinical studies, supporting its potential as a repositioned cancer drug 2.
- The antitumor effects of ivermectin have been observed in various cancer cell lines, including breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer cells 2, 3, 4.
- Ivermectin has been shown to induce cell cycle arrest, modulate cell cycle control proteins, and promote programmed cell death in cancer cells 2, 5, 4.
Mechanisms of Action
- Ivermectin's antitumor effects are thought to be mediated through multiple signaling pathways, including the regulation of PAK1 expression and the induction of immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD) 3, 4.
- Ivermectin has also been found to synergize with chemotherapeutic drugs, such as cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, to induce apoptosis in cancer cells 4.
- The combination of ivermectin with immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD1 antibody, has been shown to achieve synergy in limiting tumor growth and promoting complete responses in breast cancer models 3.
Clinical Potential
- Ivermectin's clinical potential as an anticancer drug is supported by its ability to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in preclinical models 2, 3, 4.
- The drug's safety profile and feasibility for clinical use are also being explored, with studies suggesting that ivermectin can be used at clinically feasible concentrations to achieve antitumor effects 2.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the clinical potential of ivermectin as an anticancer drug, but existing evidence suggests that it may be a promising therapeutic candidate for various types of cancer 5, 6.