Ivermectin and Cancer: What Does the Research Say?

Can ivermectin treat cancer? Learn what peer-reviewed research from PubMed and MDPI says about ivermectin and cancer, its potential benefits, and its limitations.

Ivermectin and Cancer: An Overview

Ivermectin is a medication that has been used for many years to treat certain parasitic infections. In recent years, researchers have also been studying ivermectin and cancer to see whether the drug could have a role in cancer treatment.

The research is interesting, but it is important to understand what the science actually shows.

Studies conducted in laboratories and animals have found that ivermectin can slow the growth or cause the death of certain cancer cells. Researchers have studied ivermectin in connection with breast, ovarian, colon, brain, blood, and other cancers. 

However, ivermectin has not been proven to treat or cure cancer in humans.

What Does the Research Show?

A number of peer-reviewed studies have found promising results.

For example, a 2020 study tested ivermectin against 28 different cancer cell lines. Some breast and ovarian cancer cells were particularly sensitive to ivermectin. The researchers also found promising results when ivermectin was combined with certain cancer drugs in laboratory and animal studies.

A newer review published in MDPI’s journal Pharmaceuticals in 2025 examined the growing research on ivermectin as a possible cancer treatment. The review found encouraging results from laboratory and animal studies involving several types of cancer. However, the authors emphasized that clinical evidence in people is still limited and that properly designed human trials are needed. 

Another 2025 review published in Current Oncology Reports reached a similar conclusion. While laboratory research shows potential, there are not yet large randomized clinical trials proving that ivermectin provides a cancer-treatment benefit.

Can Ivermectin Be Used With Cancer Treatment?

Researchers have also studied ivermectin in combination with existing cancer treatments.

Some laboratory studies suggest ivermectin may make certain cancer drugs more effective. These findings are encouraging enough to justify additional research.

However, this does not mean cancer patients should add ivermectin to their treatment plan on their own.

Cancer medicines can interact with other medications, and the appropriate treatment depends on the type of cancer and the individual patient.

Is Ivermectin Safe?

Ivermectin has a long history of medical use when taken appropriately for approved conditions.

That does not mean that taking high doses or using ivermectin as an unapproved cancer treatment is safe.

Patients with cancer should talk with their oncologist before taking ivermectin, particularly if they are receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, or other medications.

Is Ivermectin a Cancer Cure?

No. Ivermectin has not been established as a cancer cure.

The current research suggests that ivermectin may have anticancer potential, but most of the evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies.

The important question is whether those results will translate into better outcomes for people with cancer. That can only be determined through well-designed clinical trials.

For now, ivermectin should be viewed as an area of cancer research, rather than a proven cancer treatment.

The Bottom Line on Ivermectin and Cancer

Research into ivermectin and cancer is continuing.

Laboratory and animal studies have produced interesting results, and recent reviews—including research published by MDPI—support further investigation into ivermectin’s potential as an anticancer drug. MDPI

At the same time, there is currently not enough human clinical evidence to say that ivermectin treats or cures cancer.

Anyone considering ivermectin for cancer should discuss it with their healthcare provider and should not replace or delay proven cancer treatment based on information found online.

Medical Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Ivermectin has not been proven to treat or cure cancer. Do not start, stop, or change cancer treatment based on this information. If you have cancer or are considering ivermectin, speak with your oncologist or another qualified healthcare professional about your individual situation.