Ivermectin in Cancer Treatment: Should Healthcare Providers Caution or Explore Its Therapeutic Potential?

Purpose of review: This review evaluates the scientific evidence for Ivermectin's potential anticancer properties, an antiparasitic drug garnering interest for oncology applications. It assesses the gap between preclinical and clinical evidence and explores implications for healthcare communication based on current evidence.

Recent findings: Preclinical studies (in vitro and animal studies) demonstrate Ivermectin's anticancer effects, including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and modulation of signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt/β-catenin, Akt/mTOR) across various cancers. However, clinical evidence in humans is limited, with no large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) confirming therapeutic benefits. Observational studies and case reports highlight the risks of self-medication driven by social media touting Ivermectin's unproven cancer benefits, which can lead to toxicity in oncology patients in some cases. The lack of clinical studies creates a critical translational gap between preclinical results and practical clinical application. Despite promising preclinical data, the absence of conclusive large-scale human clinical evidence limits Ivermectin's utility in cancer treatment. Its affordability appeals in resource-limited settings, but ethical challenges arise from misinformation, which may lead patients to forgo proven therapies. Healthcare providers must communicate responsibly to counter misinformation and guide patients toward evidence-based interventions, while supporting rigorous clinical trials to bridge the preclinical-clinical gap.