Ivermectin and Benzimidazoles (Fenbendazole and Mebendazole) in Advanced Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Compilation (2025)

By Editorial Team

Abstract

Background: The global burden of advanced-stage cancers remains a significant challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to effective therapies is limited. Repurposing existing drugs, such as the antiparasitics ivermectin, fenbendazole, and mebendazole, has garnered attention due to anecdotal reports suggesting potential anti-cancer effects.

Objective: This article compiles and systematically presents anecdotal case reports and preliminary clinical data on the use of ivermectin and benzimidazoles (fenbendazole and mebendazole) in patients with stage 4 cancers, aiming to provide a foundation for further scientific investigation.

Methods: Case reports were collected from various online sources, including social media platforms (e.g., X/Twitter) and websites, detailing patient experiences with ivermectin and benzimidazoles, often in combination with conventional therapies. Cases are organized by cancer type, with a focus on stage 4 diagnoses, and include reported outcomes such as tumor shrinkage, biomarker reduction, and imaging results.

Results: A total of 140+ case reports across multiple cancer types (breast, brain, bile duct, bladder, cervical, colorectal, esophageal, endometrial, head and neck, kidney, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, sarcoma, and skin) were compiled. Notable outcomes include significant tumor volume reductions (e.g., up to 99.7% in pancreatic cancer), biomarker decreases (e.g., CA19-9 dropping from 44,960 to 21 in pancreatic cancer), and reports of “cancer-free” status in some cases. A phase I/II clinical trial on ivermectin and balstilimab in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer reported a 37.5% clinical benefit rate.

Conclusion: These anecdotal reports suggest potential anti-cancer effects of ivermectin and benzimidazoles, warranting further investigation through rigorous clinical trials. Patients should consult oncology specialists to integrate these findings into personalized treatment plans, as the evidence remains preliminary.

Keywords: Ivermectin, fenbendazole, mebendazole, repurposed drugs, advanced cancer, case reports, integrative oncology.

Introduction 

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality globally, with advanced-stage (stage 4) cancers presenting particularly poor prognoses due to limited therapeutic options and low survival rates. For instance, 5-year survival rates for stage 4 breast cancer and colorectal cancer are approximately 26% and 13%, respectively [1]. In low- and middle-income countries, inadequate funding and infrastructure exacerbate these challenges, prompting exploration of repurposed drugs as cost-effective alternatives [2]. Ivermectin and benzimidazoles (fenbendazole and mebendazole), traditionally used as antiparasitics, have gained attention due to anecdotal reports of efficacy in cancer treatment, particularly for metastatic disease. Despite widespread discussion on social media platforms such as X, peer-reviewed clinical evidence remains scarce, limiting their integration into mainstream oncology. This article systematically compiles anecdotal case reports and preliminary clinical data on the use of ivermectin, fenbendazole, and mebendazole in stage 4 cancer patients. The objective is to document these cases to stimulate hypothesis generation and encourage rigorous clinical research into these repurposed drugs as potential components of combination therapies.
 

Methods

Data Collection: Case reports were sourced from publicly available platforms, including X/Twitter, Substack, and other websites, as well as peer-reviewed literature where available. Reports were selected based on their documentation of ivermectin and/or benzimidazole use in stage 4 cancer patients, with outcomes such as tumor size reduction, biomarker changes, or imaging results. 

Inclusion Criteria: Cases involved patients with stage 4 cancers treated with ivermectin, fenbendazole, or mebendazole, either alone or in combination with conventional therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy). 

Data Organization: Cases are presented alphabetically by cancer type, with details on patient demographics, treatment protocols, and outcomes. Where applicable, quantitative data (e.g., tumor size, biomarker levels) are included to provide measurable outcomes. 

Ethical Considerations: As this is a compilation of publicly shared anecdotes, no direct patient interaction or ethical approval was required. However, patient anonymity was preserved where possible. 

Results

The compilation includes over 140 case reports across 17 cancer types, with selected cases summarized below. Full details are provided in the supplementary material.  

1. Breast Cancer (29 Cases)

  • Case 29 (2025): A patient with stage 4 breast cancer with spinal metastases reported near-complete resolution of bone metastases and a breast lump reduction from 46x24 mm to 30x10 mm (SUV max from 46 to 2.2) after using ivermectin, fenbendazole, and complementary therapies (e.g., methylene blue, red light therapy). 
  • Case 28 (2025): A 26-year-old UK woman with triple-negative breast cancer and brain metastases showed a 40% reduction in brain tumor size (5 cm to 3 cm) and significant lung metastases shrinkage after 4 weeks of ivermectin, mebendazole, and Trodelvy. 
  • Clinical Trial (ASCO 2025): A phase I/II study (NCT05318469) of ivermectin combined with balstilimab in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer reported a 37.5% clinical benefit rate (95% CI 15.3%-91.7%) in heavily pretreated patients [3].  

2. Brain Cancer (1 Case)

  • Case 1 (2025): A patient with terminal stage 4 brain cancer, treated with radiation and chemotherapy, was recommended mebendazole, CBD, and ivermectin by Dr. William Makis, with no specific outcomes reported due to limited follow-up.

3. Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) (1 Case)

  • Case 1 (2024): A 53-year-old Canadian patient with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma (15 cm tumor) achieved “cancer-free” status after 14 months of fenbendazole (444 mg/day), ivermectin (2.5 mg/kg/day), and CBD-THC oil, following initial chemotherapy failure.

4. Bladder Cancer (1 Case)

  • Case 1 (2025): A 75-year-old man with stage 4 urothelial bladder cancer with multi-organ metastases showed dramatic PET/CT improvements after combining fenbendazole (222-1500 mg/day) and ivermectin (30 mg/day to 1 mg/kg/day) with Padcev and Keytruda.

5. Cervical Cancer (1 Case)

  • Case 1 (2024):** A woman in her 50s with stage 4 cervical cancer and liver metastases achieved a 46% CA125 reduction (99.1 to 53.6 U/mL) after 1.5 months of high-dose ivermectin (2 mg/kg/day) and fenbendazole (2000 mg/day), with brand switching noted as critical for efficacy.

6. Colorectal Cancer (23 Cases)

  • Case 23 (2025): A 59-year-old Canadian woman with stage 4 colon cancer (liver and lymph node metastases) reported a 20% aggregate tumor size reduction after 1.5 months of ivermectin (1.5 mg/kg/day), fenbendazole (1500 mg/day), and CBD oil. 
  • Case 22 (2025): A 61-year-old man with stage 4 appendix cancer achieved a 68% tumor volume reduction after 2 months of ivermectin (1.5 mg/kg/day), mebendazole (1500 mg/day), and chemotherapy/immunotherapy.

7. Esophageal and Stomach Cancer (5 Cases)

  • Case 4 (2025):** A 55-year-old patient with stage 4 gastric cancer and bone metastases achieved a 99% reduction in CA19-9 and CEA markers after using ivermectin and fenbendazole. 
  • Case 3 (2023):** A 66-year-old man with stage 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma (18 cm tumor, lung and lymph node metastases) achieved “no evidence of disease” after 14 months of fenbendazole (222 mg/day) and complementary supplements. 

8. Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer (6 Cases)

  • Case 1 (2023): An 81-year-old woman with recurrent stage 4 endometrial cancer (abdominal, lymph node, and lung metastases) showed significant tumor shrinkage and resolution of ascites after 5 months of fenbendazole and complementary therapies (e.g., high-dose melatonin, turmeric). 

9. Head and Neck Cancer (5 Cases)

  • Case 5 (2025): A 67-year-old woman from Zimbabwe with stage 4 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma achieved a 46%-93% tumor volume reduction in liver, pelvic lymph nodes, and bone metastases after less than 3 months of ivermectin (1 mg/kg/day) and mebendazole (1000 mg/day).

10. Kidney Cancer (7 Cases)

  • Case 7 (2025): A 63-year-old man with stage 4 clear cell renal cell carcinoma achieved “cancer-free” status after 3 months of ivermectin (1-2 mg/kg/day) and fenbendazole (1000 mg/day), with no evidence of recurrence on PET/CT. 

11. Liver Cancer (1 Case)

  • Case 1 (2021): A patient with stage 4 hepatocellular carcinoma reported improved outcomes after fenbendazole, despite no improvement with radiation and immunotherapy.

12. Lung Cancer (18 Cases)

  • Case 18 (2025): A 67-year-old New York woman with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed resolution of lymph node, adrenal, and renal metastases and healing of bone metastases after 5 months of ivermectin (1 mg/kg/day), fenbendazole (888 mg/day), and CBD oil. **

13. Ovarian Cancer (4 Cases)

  • Case 4 (2025): A 67-year-old woman with stage 4 ovarian cancer achieved a CA125 reduction from >7000 to 27 and no metastases on PET/CT after 2 months of ivermectin (1.5 mg/kg/day), fenbendazole (1500 mg/day), and chemotherapy.

14. Pancreatic Cancer (16 Cases)

  • Case 16 (2025): A Canadian patient with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, offered euthanasia, achieved “undetectable” cancer on CT after fenbendazole (444 mg/day) and ivermectin (50 mg/day) for 5 months. 
  • Case 7 (2025): A 77-year-old patient with stage 4 neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer achieved a 99.9% CA19-9 reduction (44,960 to 21) and 70%-87% tumor shrinkage with mebendazole (1000 mg/day) and fenbendazole (888 mg/day). 

15. Prostate Cancer (18 Cases)

  • Case 17 (2025): A 77-year-old man with stage 4 prostate cancer (lung and bone metastases) achieved near-complete resolution on PET/CT after 5 months of ivermectin (1.5 mg/kg/day), fenbendazole (888 mg/day), and CBD oil. 

16. Sarcoma (2 Cases)

  • Case 2 (2025): A patient with stage 4 leiomyosarcoma reported tumor growth cessation and no further need for blood transfusions after 1 month of mebendazole and ivermectin. 

17. Skin Cancer (4 Cases)

  • Case 4 (2025): An Australian man with stage 4 malignant melanoma achieved “cancer-free” status after 12 months of ivermectin and fenbendazole.

Discussion

The compiled case reports suggest potential anti-cancer effects of ivermectin and benzimidazoles, often in combination with conventional therapies. Reported mechanisms include inhibition of the WNT-TCF pathway [4], induction of apoptosis, and chemosensitization/radiosensitization [5, 6]. Notable outcomes include significant tumor volume reductions (e.g., 99.7% in pancreatic cancer), biomarker decreases (e.g., PSA from 2093 to 39 in prostate cancer), and improved quality of life. However, these reports are anecdotal, lacking the rigor of controlled clinical trials, and are subject to biases such as self-selection and incomplete follow-up. 

The phase I/II trial on ivermectin and balstilimab [3] provides preliminary clinical evidence, but larger, randomized controlled trials are needed to establish efficacy and safety. Differences in response rates (e.g., variable efficacy in prostate cancer) and optimal dosing (e.g., higher doses of ivermectin at 1-2 mg/kg/day vs. lower doses in some cases) highlight the need for standardized protocols. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of fenbendazole (~$0.48 per 222 mg dose) compared to mebendazole (~$450 per pill in the US) underscores the potential for accessible therapies, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Limitations: The anecdotal nature of these reports limits their generalizability. Lack of control groups, variable treatment protocols, and potential confounding from concurrent therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy) complicate attribution of outcomes to ivermectin or benzimidazoles. Furthermore, social media sources are not indexed in scientific databases, increasing the risk of misinformation.

Conclusion

This compilation of anecdotal case reports provides preliminary evidence of the potential anti-cancer effects of ivermectin and benzimidazoles in stage 4 cancers. While promising, these findings require validation through well-designed clinical trials to establish efficacy, safety, and optimal dosing. Patients considering these therapies should consult specialized oncology teams to ensure safe integration with conventional treatments. 

With their low cost and accessibility, ivermectin and benzimidazoles represent promising candidates for further investigation—either as standalone treatments or in combination with traditional therapies—for patients with advanced cancers. This work seeks to encourage additional research into repurposed drugs as part of a multimodal approach to cancer care.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the contributions of patients and advocates who shared their experiences on public platforms, as well as researchers like Dr. William Makis for their efforts in documenting these cases. References

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2022.
2. World Health Organization. Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
3. Yuan Y, et al. Phase I/II study of ivermectin and balstilimab in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2025;Abstract e13146.
4. Melotti A, et al. The river blindness drug ivermectin and related macrocyclic lactones inhibit WNT-TCF pathway responses in human cancer. EMBO Mol Med. 2014;6(10):1263-1278.
5. Mudassar F, et al. Targeting tumor hypoxia and mitochondrial metabolism with anti-parasitic drugs to improve radiation response in high-grade gliomas. J Neurooncol. 2020;147(2):393-403.
6. Zhang L, et al. Mebendazole potentiates radiation therapy in triple-negative breast cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2019;103(1):195-207.  

Disclosures 

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. This work is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Patients should consult healthcare providers before initiating any treatment.

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