Originally developed as a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent, ivermectin has long been hailed as a global health breakthrough. From treating river blindness to scabies, its discovery earned a Nobel Prize and transformed infectious disease management. Yet, in recent years, ivermectin has found itself at the centre of a very different conversation: its potential role in cancer treatment.
In 2025, a growing number of researchers are exploring ivermectin as more than just a deworming drug. Backed by preclinical evidence and mechanistic studies, scientists are investigating its application in targeting cancer cells through mechanisms that involve oxidative stress, mitochondrial disruption, and immune modulation. While it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions, the evolving body of research is both intriguing and promising.
Understanding Ivermectin
Ivermectin belongs to the avermectin family of compounds and was originally isolated from Streptomyces avermitilis, a type of soil-dwelling bacterium. Its primary medical use has been to paralyse and eliminate parasites by interfering with chloride ion channels.
What makes ivermectin unique in the cancer context is its broad safety profile, low cost, and widespread availability. These features make it an appealing candidate for drug repurposing, especially in low-resource settings. Importantly, the mechanisms by which ivermectin acts against parasites appear to overlap with pathways involved in cancer cell metabolism and survival.
Mechanisms of Anticancer Action
Recent studies have uncovered several mechanisms through which ivermectin may suppress or eliminate cancer cells. These include:
Induction of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage
Ivermectin can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cancer cells. Elevated ROS levels can damage cellular DNA and disrupt essential metabolic processes, leading to apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Disruption of Mitochondrial Function
The mitochondria serve as the energy hub for cells. Ivermectin has been shown to impair mitochondrial respiration in cancer cells, causing ATP depletion, which compromises the cell’s ability to grow and divide.
Inhibition of Proliferation and Metastasis
By suppressing critical signalling pathways such as WNT/β-catenin, Akt/mTOR, and PAK1, ivermectin may reduce tumour cell proliferation and inhibit their ability to invade surrounding tissues.
Modulation of Autophagy
In cancer cells, ivermectin appears to trigger non-protective autophagy, a process that breaks down cellular components. This disrupts tumour metabolism and contributes to cell death.
Targeting Cancer Stem Cells
Ivermectin has shown potential to disrupt cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), which are often responsible for treatment resistance and tumour relapse. This makes it particularly attractive in long-term cancer management strategies.
Recent Research and Clinical Investigations
Several recent studies have examined ivermectin’s effects on different types of cancer:
- Bladder Cancer: A 2024 study in the Journal of Translational Oncology found that ivermectin induces DNA damage and apoptosis in bladder cancer cells via ROS accumulation.
- Lung Adenocarcinoma: Research led by Man-Yuan Li demonstrated that ivermectin reduces cell viability by downregulating the PAK1 signalling pathway, suggesting its use in targeting lung cancers with Akt/mTOR dependencies.
- Glioblastoma: Ivermectin has shown efficacy in reducing stemness and proliferation of glioblastoma stem-like cells—a promising step in combating one of the most treatment-resistant brain tumours.
- Multiple Myeloma and Leukaemia: In haematological malignancies, ivermectin’s ability to induce mitochondrial stress and modulate ion channel signalling has been observed to hinder disease progression.
While most of these findings are preclinical, they offer a compelling foundation for clinical trials, some of which are now in early-phase development across Europe and Asia.
Clinical Applications and Combination Protocols
Given its accessibility and safety, ivermectin has caught the attention of clinicians interested in off-label, adjunctive treatments. It is sometimes used as part of integrative protocols, often in combination with:
- Fenbendazole – another antiparasitic with anticancer potential
- Doxycycline – for its role in inhibiting mitochondrial biogenesis
- Curcumin or Quercetin – for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support
Some functional medicine and integrative oncology practitioners propose low-dose, pulse administration protocols to maximise effect while minimising risk. However, it’s critical to emphasise that these uses are experimental, and formal guidelines or regulatory approvals are lacking.
Safety, Side Effects, and Cautions
While ivermectin is generally considered safe at standard doses, using it for cancer treatment carries unknown risks. Potential side effects include:
- Neurological symptoms (dizziness, confusion, tremors) at high doses
- Hepatic enzyme elevation or liver stress in sensitive individuals
- Drug-drug interactions with medications like warfarin or immunosuppressants
Medical supervision is absolutely essential. Patients are strongly advised not to self-medicate based on anecdotal protocols, but rather to consult with an oncologist or clinical researcher experienced in repurposed therapies.
The Future of Ivermectin in Cancer Therapy
The rise of ivermectin in oncology illustrates a broader trend: repurposing old drugs for new diseases. This approach offers a faster, often cheaper route to novel therapies, especially in countries where access to cutting-edge cancer drugs is limited.
What’s particularly exciting is ivermectin’s potential role in multi-modal treatment plans, especially when combined with genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic diagnostics like those offered by Neeli Genetics. Such integration could help identify patients who are more likely to respond, turning ivermectin into a precision-guided agent rather than a blanket solution.
Conclusion: An Unconventional Candidate with Serious Potential
Ivermectin may have started as an antiparasitic, but its journey into cancer care is unfolding in fascinating ways. From damaging DNA in tumour cells to disrupting metabolic signalling and targeting resistant cancer stem cells, it offers a multi-targeted assault on cancer biology.
That said, it is not yet a fully validated cancer treatment. More clinical trials, real-world data, and regulatory guidance are needed before ivermectin can be routinely included in oncological practice. But for now, it serves as a powerful reminder that innovation doesn’t always come from brand-new discoveries, it can come from looking at familiar drugs in new ways.
Ready to Explore Precision Cancer Care?
At Neeli Genetics, we don’t just follow cancer trends, we lead with science. Our comprehensive multi-omic testing helps identify whether repurposed agents like ivermectin could be effective within a personalised treatment plan tailored to your tumour biology. Book your molecular profiling consultation today and take the first step toward smarter, more targeted cancer care.
FAQs: Ivermectin in Cancer Therapy
1. What is ivermectin and how does it relate to cancer treatment?
Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug originally used for conditions like river blindness. Recent research shows it may also target cancer cells by disrupting mitochondrial function, increasing oxidative stress, and modulating tumour signalling pathways.
2. How does ivermectin kill cancer cells?
Ivermectin induces oxidative stress, damages DNA, disrupts mitochondria, inhibits key cancer growth pathways (like Akt/mTOR and WNT), and targets cancer stem cells—making it a potential multi-mechanism anticancer agent.
3. Is ivermectin currently approved for cancer treatment?
No, ivermectin is not FDA-approved for cancer treatment. It is being studied in preclinical and early-stage clinical trials. Any use in oncology is considered experimental and should be supervised by qualified medical professionals.
4. Can ivermectin be combined with other anticancer agents?
Yes. In integrative settings, it is sometimes combined with drugs like fenbendazole, doxycycline, or natural compounds like curcumin. These combinations are experimental and must be guided by evidence-based protocols.
5. Are there risks in using ivermectin for cancer?
Yes. High doses or unsupervised use may cause neurological side effects, liver enzyme elevation, and dangerous drug interactions. Always consult your oncologist before considering ivermectin as part of your treatment.
