Cancer Advisor

Abstract A 2026 study published in JAMA Network Open has reignited debate over the use of ivermectin and benzimidazole drugs—including fenbendazole and mebendazole—among cancer patients. The study analyzed approximately 68.4 million patient records and documented a substantial increase in prescriptions following a widely viewed discussion on The Joe Rogan Experience featuring actor Mel Gibson. While supporters view the publication as validation that these drugs are being increasingly used in real-world cancer settings, critics emphasize that the study evaluated prescribing behavior rather than clinical outcomes. This distinction is critical. The study did not assess tumor response, progression-free survival, overall survival, or quality-of-life outcomes. This article examines what the study found, what it did not find, and why the publication has become a focal point in the ongoing debate surrounding drug repurposing in oncology. Introduction A 2026 study published in JAMA Network Ope...

Executive Summary Background: Repurposed antiparasitic agents—ivermectin (IVM), fenbendazole (FBZ), and mebendazole (MBZ)—have generated public interest as potential adjunctive therapies in advanced malignancies, including stage IV prostate cancer. This narrative review analyzes 37 publicly reported anecdotal cases compiled in a 2025 Substack article (updated 2026) primarily sourced from Dr. William Makis’ X posts. Methods: Cases were extracted from the source article, which organizes 22 core cases into drug-focused tables and lists 15 additional testimonials. Data abstraction focused on patient demographics, disease characteristics, treatment regimens, prior therapies, adjuncts, PSA kinetics, imaging outcomes, and clinical ...