Ivermectin - an old antiparasitic, new hope or another misconception in oncology? Dr. Kust for the Zdravlje i ja portal
- davorkust
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 22
Introduction – from veterinary medicine to public focus
Ivermectin is a drug that has been used for more than three decades to treat various parasitic diseases – both in veterinary and human medicine. Since the early 1980s, millions of people have been treated with this drug, especially in parts of the world affected by so-called neglected tropical diseases. Its effectiveness and safety led to the scientists who participated in its development being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015.
However, ivermectin has gained unusual fame in the last decade – first during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was promoted as a “cure-all”, and then through some claims that it can treat cancer. In this article, we provide an overview of the real scientific knowledge about ivermectin and its potential in oncology – without myths, without sensationalism.
Timeline: Ivermectin through the decades
How does ivermectin work?
Ivermectin works by binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels in the nerve and muscle cells of parasites, causing their paralysis and death. Since humans do not have these specific channels, the drug acts selectively and is considered very safe when used in prescribed doses.
In human medicine, it is used to treat:
onchocerciasis (river blindness),
strongyloidiasis,
filariasis and lymphatic filariasis,
itching (scabies) and lice,
and it also has experimental use in some viral and dermatological diseases.
How did ivermectin come into the focus of oncology?
In the last ten years, the scientific community has shown interest in the potential antitumor effects of ivermectin, especially in preclinical studies (laboratory cells and animal models). Some of the reported effects include:
Induction of apoptosis (programmed death of cancer cells)
Cell cycle arrest and inhibition of proliferation
Action on signaling pathways such as WNT/β-catenin, AKT/mTOR, NF-κB, and YAP
Immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment
Increased efficacy of chemotherapy and reduced resistance
These effects have been documented in breast, colon, lung, prostate, glioma, and leukemia cancer cells. However, it should be noted that all of these data come from experimental models, and efficacy in humans has not yet been confirmed. It should be clearly noted that during research, a large number of different compounds and drugs have shown some antitumor activity in laboratory conditions, but after progressing to higher stages of testing and research in humans, most of these compounds do not justify the initial optimism. In other words, the existence of antitumor activity of a certain substance does not automatically mean that the drug can be used to treat cancer in humans.
What do human clinical trials say?
So far, data directly on patients are very limited. There are:
single case reports on the use of ivermectin in patients with advanced cancer,
small pilot research projects without control,
studies in the very early phase (e.g., phase I).
However, there is currently no large, randomized, placebo-controlled study that would prove that ivermectin has a significant clinical effect on oncological diseases.
Pharmacologically, achieving concentrations of ivermectin that have shown an effect in the laboratory would require doses many times higher than those that are safe for humans. Therefore, the therapeutic effect in real clinical practice remains hypothetical and inapplicable without further research.
The dangers of unregulated use and "alternative treatment"
After ivermectin gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was also a trend of its uncontrolled use, often from unverified sources and in veterinary formulations. The same thing happened with patients who believed that it could help in the treatment of malignant tumors, often based on advice from the Internet or social networks.
The problem with such an approach is multiple:
Patients abandon standard oncology therapy.
There is a delay in treatment, which reduces the chance of a cure.
Ivermectin in high doses can be neurotoxic – cases of disorientation, visual impairment and even death have been reported.
There may be an interaction with other medications the patient is taking.
Unfortunately, some patients approached ivermectin as a "last resort", even though they had no scientific basis for doing so.
Conclusion – Where are we with ivermectin in oncology today?
Ivermectin is a fascinating compound with a long and successful history in the fight against parasitic diseases. Its research in the context of cancer opens interesting doors of science and molecular pharmacology, but this does not mean that it is ready for clinical application in cancer.
Until further notice, oncology remains an area in which any therapy must be based on rigorous clinical trials, not on hypotheses or Internet claims.
Patients and their families should be offered hope – but based on evidence, not illusions.
Message for patients
If you are considering the use of ivermectin or any other "alternative" agent in addition to your therapy, always consult your doctor first. The worst decision is one made without full information and without professional support.
The article was published on the Zdravlje i ja portal.
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