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๐ Ivermectin
Repurposed antiparasitic with strong preclinical evidence for GBM
| Property | Detail |
|---|
| Type | Antiparasitic drug |
| Original Use | River blindness, scabies |
| Evidence Level | Strong preclinical No human GBM trials |
| Crosses BBB | โ ๏ธ Limited at standard doses |
| Nobel Prize | 2015 (discoverers) |
Mechanisms of Action
Ivermectin affects multiple cancer pathways:
- Inhibits proliferation โ stops GBM cells from multiplying
- Induces apoptosis โ triggers cancer cell death
- Anti-angiogenic โ blocks tumor blood vessels
- Mitochondrial dysfunction โ disrupts cancer energy
- Inhibits Wnt/ฮฒ-catenin โ key cancer pathway
- Inhibits Akt/mTOR โ another cancer pathway
Key Studies
1. GBM Cell Studies (2016)
Ivermectin significantly inhibits growth of U87 and T98G glioblastoma cells. Induces apoptosis through caspase-dependent mechanism.
PubMed Link โ
2. In Vivo Study (2018)
Inhibits glioma cell growth in vitro AND in animal models. Induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
PubMed Link โ
3. Ivermectin + ATRA Combination (2024)
"Compelling evidence that ivermectin and ATRA may be effective in treating GBM" โ Combined with retinoic acid.
medRxiv Pre-print โ
4. Nasal Delivery (2025)
First study of nose-to-brain delivery of ivermectin nanoparticles for GBM. May solve BBB limitation.
ACS Link โ
5. Review: "New Hope for GBM?" (2025)
Comprehensive review of all ivermectin evidence for glioblastoma.
Springer Link โ
The BBB Problem
Unlike mebendazole, ivermectin has limited blood-brain barrier penetration at standard doses. P-glycoprotein actively pumps it out of the brain.
Solutions being researched:
- Intranasal nanoparticles (direct nose-to-brain)
- Higher doses (more side effects)
- P-gp inhibitors (block the pump)
- Liposomal formulations
Dosages
| Context | Dose | Notes |
|---|
| Standard antiparasitic | 0.2 mg/kg (single) | FDA approved |
| Cancer protocols | 0.5-2 mg/kg/day | Higher, experimental |
| Example (70kg) | 35-70 mg daily | Divided doses |
Why It May Not Have Worked
Despite promising research, ivermectin alone hasn't cured GBM because:
- BBB penetration is limited
- GBM is heterogeneous (different cells, different vulnerabilities)
- Monotherapy rarely works for GBM
- Optimal dosing unknown
- No clinical trials to optimize protocol
Combinations to Consider
- + Mebendazole/Fenbendazole โ similar mechanisms
- + ATRA (retinoic acid) โ 2024 study showed promise
- + Ketogenic diet โ metabolic stress
- + Curcumin โ anti-inflammatory synergy
How to Get
- Prescription โ ask doctor (may be reluctant)
- Compounding pharmacy โ custom doses
- Some countries โ OTC availability varies
โ ๏ธ Side Effects at Higher Doses:
- Dizziness, nausea, diarrhea
- Neurological effects possible
- Interactions with warfarin, benzodiazepines
Current Research Status
| Type | Status |
|---|
| Cell studies | โ Strong positive |
| Animal studies | โ Positive |
| Human GBM trials | โ None |
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