Ivermectin Cancer Research
What We Know About Ivermectin and Cancer
Ivermectin, best known as an antiparasitic medication, is gaining attention for its potential to fight cancer. Research shows that it may slow cancer cell growth, trigger cancer cell death, and boost the immune system’s ability to attack tumours. Here’s a breakdown of its key actions:
How Ivermectin Works in Cancer
1. Stopping Tumour Growth
Ivermectin can block signals that cancer cells need to multiply, slowing their growth. It specifically halts cells during the S-phase of their cycle, the stage when they replicate their DNA [1][2].
2. Killing Cancer Cells
The drug encourages cancer cells, like those in breast and colorectal cancers, to self-destruct (apoptosis). It does this by activating special proteins called caspases and affecting the cells’ energy systems [7][8].
3. Boosting the Immune System
Ivermectin increases the activity of natural killer cells and macrophages, which are key immune cells that destroy tumours. This suggests it could work well alongside existing cancer immunotherapies [2][4].
4. Blocking Tumour Blood Supply
Tumours need new blood vessels to grow. Ivermectin disrupts this process (called angiogenesis), starving tumours of nutrients and slowing their spread [2][3].
5. Fighting Drug-Resistant Cancers
In some cases, cancer cells resist chemotherapy. Ivermectin can help overcome this by reducing the activity of proteins that make cancer resistant to drugs, making chemotherapy more effective [6][7].
Ivermectin is safe!
(Ivermectin) has proven to be safe. Doses up to 10 times the approved limit are well tolerated by healthy volunteers
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How Does Ivermectin Compare to Traditional Cancer Treatments?
Ivermectin’s effectiveness as a cancer treatment compared to standard therapies like chemotherapy is not yet fully proven. Here’s what we know:
1. What Lab Studies Show
Research in labs has found that ivermectin can slow the growth of various cancer cells, trigger their self-destruction (apoptosis), and even help overcome drug resistance.
For example, it has shown strong effects against cholangiocarcinoma and has made resistant cancer cells more responsive to chemotherapy drugs like gemcitabine [3][4][5].
It has also been shown to enhance the immune system’s response, especially when used alongside immunotherapy treatments [2].
2. What’s Missing? Clinical Studies
Despite promising results in laboratory studies, ivermectin’s effects in real-world cancer patients haven’t been widely reported.
Unfortunately, as a low-cost and generic drug, there’s little financial incentive for clinical trials, especially with many newer, patented cancer drugs being developed [1][3].
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Types of Cancer Tested for Ivermectin Efficacy
Ivermectin has been tested in a wide range of cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, colorectal, brain, renal cancers, leukemia (including AML), hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma. Its broad-spectrum potential in preclinical studies makes it a candidate for further research in cancer therapies.
1. Breast Cancer
Ivermectin has shown strong anticancer activity by inducing cell death and halting growth in breast cancer cells [1][2][9].
2. Ovarian Cancer
It effectively suppresses ovarian cancer by blocking the cell cycle and triggering apoptosis [1][5].
3. Prostate Cancer
Research shows ivermectin can halt prostate cancer cells in their tracks and cause them to die, offering therapeutic promise [2].
4. Prostate Cancer
Ivermectin has been effective in stopping colorectal cancer cell growth and promoting cell death [1].
5. Brain Cancer
Studies suggest ivermectin has potential against brain cancer cells, though further exploration is needed [1][2][4].
6. Renal Cancer
Early evidence suggests ivermectin may work against renal cancer, although research is limited [1].
7. Leukemia
It selectively targets and kills leukemia cells, sparing normal cells, making it a potential treatment option [3][6].
8. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Ivermectin has demonstrated the ability to kill AML cells in laboratory studies [3][6].
9. Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Preliminary studies show ivermectin may inhibit liver cancer, but more research is required [1].
10. Lung Cancer
It shows promise in stopping the growth of lung cancer cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic role [1][2].
11. Cholangiocarcinoma
Ivermectin is effective in fighting cholangiocarcinoma, including cases resistant to standard treatments [1].
12. Other Cancers
Due to its ability to target multiple pathways, ivermectin may have applications for additional cancer types.
Citations
- [1] https://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/anticanres/39/9/4837.full.pdf
- [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-022-05182-0
- [3] https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/116/18/3593/27970/The-antiparasitic-agent-ivermectin-induces
- [4] https://jeccr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13046-019-1251-7
- [5] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13167-020-00209-y
- [6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006497120311563
- [7] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10054244/
- [8] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41408-020-0339-9
- [9] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41523-021-00229-5
What are the arguments in favour of trying ivermectin?
Why Ivermectin Deserves Attention as a Cancer Treatment
There are several good reasons to consider ivermectin as a potential cancer therapy:
1. It’s Been Proven Safe
Ivermectin has been safely used in humans for over 30 years to treat parasitic infections. Its long history gives it a strong safety record, making it less risky to explore for cancer treatment compared to brand-new drugs [2][5].
2. It Attacks Cancer in Many Ways
Studies show ivermectin can:
- Stop cancer cells from growing.
- Trigger cancer cells to self-destruct (apoptosis).
- Block key pathways that cancer uses to grow and survive, like the Akt/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways [1][2][4]
3. It Boosts the Immune System
Ivermectin can help the body fight cancer by boosting immune cells like natural killer cells and macrophages. This could make it work well alongside other cancer treatments that rely on the immune system [1][3].
4. It Cuts Off Tumours’ Blood Supply
Cancer tumours need new blood vessels to grow. Ivermectin has been shown to block the formation of these vessels, potentially starving tumours of nutrients [1][2].
5. It May Work Against Drug-Resistant Cancers
Some cancers become resistant to standard treatments. Ivermectin has shown promise in fighting drug-resistant cancers like cholangiocarcinoma, which could make it valuable in combination with other treatments [2][5].
6. It Works in Lab Studies
Laboratory research has shown that ivermectin can slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells from breast, colorectal, lung, and ovarian cancers. This suggests it could be an effective anticancer agent [2][4][6].
7. It’s Affordable and Widely Available
Ivermectin is already approved and inexpensive, making it a potential lifesaver for people in low-resource areas who might not afford expensive cancer treatments [2].
8. It Might Work with Radiotherapy
Although studies on ivermectin with radiotherapy are limited, early research suggests it could be helpful in combination with radiation treatments.
What’s Next?
Ivermectin’s ability to fight different cancers in multiple ways, while being safe and affordable, makes it an exciting option for more research. Studies are needed to find the best dosages and confirm its benefits. With its proven safety as an antiparasitic drug, ivermectin could quickly become useful in cancer treatment [2][3][5].
Although more research and clinical studies are required, current evidence shows that ivermectin has great potential as a cancer therapy. Its safety, ability to attack cancer in various ways, and low cost make it worth exploring further.
