From the Guidelines
Ivermectin is not currently recommended for colon cancer treatment. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2024 by the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, does not mention ivermectin as a treatment option for colon cancer 1. This guideline provides a comprehensive review of the evidence for treating metastatic colorectal cancer, including indications for targeted therapy and treatment options for oligometastatic and liver-limited disease.
Key Points to Consider
- Standard treatments for colon cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy, depending on the cancer stage and patient factors.
- These established treatments have demonstrated efficacy through rigorous clinical trials, as outlined in the 2023 ASCO guideline for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer 1.
- While ivermectin is FDA-approved for certain parasitic infections and has an established safety profile at appropriate doses, its repurposing for cancer treatment remains experimental.
- Patients with colon cancer should follow evidence-based treatment plans developed by oncologists rather than pursuing unproven therapies like ivermectin.
Clinical Implications
The lack of clinical evidence supporting the use of ivermectin for colon cancer treatment means that patients should prioritize established treatments with proven efficacy.
- The choice of therapy should be based on consideration of the goals of therapy, the type and timing of prior therapy, the mutational profile of the tumor, and the differing toxicity profiles of the constituent drugs, as recommended by the NCCN Guidelines for Colon Cancer 1.
- Oncologists should develop treatment plans that take into account the individual patient's needs and factors, rather than relying on unproven therapies.
From the Research
Ivermectin in Colon Cancer Treatment
- Ivermectin has been studied for its potential as an anticancer drug against colon cancer in various research studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A study published in 2022 found that ivermectin triggered apoptosis in colon cancer-induced rats, demonstrating its potential as an anticancer drug against colon cancer 2.
- Another study published in 2021 found that ivermectin dose-dependently inhibited colorectal cancer cell growth, promoted cell apoptosis, and increased Caspase-3/7 activity 3.
- The antitumor effects of ivermectin have been observed at clinically feasible drug concentrations, supporting its clinical development as a repositioned cancer drug 4.
- Ivermectin has also been found to reverse drug resistance in cancer cells through the EGFR/ERK/Akt/NF-κB pathway, making it a potential candidate for combination therapy with chemotherapeutic agents 5.
- A review published in 2021 discussed the potential of ivermectin as an anticancer drug, highlighting its ability to inhibit the proliferation of several tumor cells by regulating multiple signaling pathways 6.
Mechanisms of Action
- Ivermectin has been found to promote ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and induce S phase arrest in CRC cells 3.
- It has also been found to upregulate the expression of proapoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved PARP, and downregulate antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 3.
- Ivermectin binds with the extracellular domain of EGFR, inhibiting the activation of EGFR and its downstream signaling cascade ERK/Akt/NF-κB, leading to reduced P-gp transcription 5.
Potential Applications
- Ivermectin may be a new potential anticancer drug therapy for human colorectal cancer and other cancers 3.
- It may be used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to treat cancers, especially drug-resistant cancers 5.
- Further research is needed to fully explore the potential of ivermectin as an anticancer drug and its clinical applications 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.