Ivermectin Shows Promise in Lab Cancer Studies, But Human Trials Still Needed

Laboratory and animal studies suggest the antiparasitic drug ivermectin may target cancer pathways, but it remains unapproved for cancer treatment and requires rigorous human trials to confirm any effectiveness. A 2025 systematic review found only 26 reports involving 36 cancer patients, most of whom took oral ivermectin for parasitic infections, not cancer. While safety concerns were limited, researchers stressed that carefully designed clinical trials remain necessary. Preclinical studies show ivermectin may affect pathways like Wnt/β-catenin and AKT/mTOR, with one rat study finding nano-ivermectin reduced glioma tumour volume by 70 per cent. However, the American Cancer Society states ivermectin is not approved for cancer, and patients should not replace prescribed treatments without consulting their oncologist.