Where can I find case series or pharmacovigilance database reports on ivermectin use in patients undergoing cancer treatment?
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Executive summary
You can find case series and pharmacovigilance reports about ivermectin use in oncology mainly in reviews and small case compilations, pharmacovigilance project papers, and news/meeting abstracts — but large human clinical series are absent. Multiple reviews and an Annals of Oncology audit found predominantly preclinical studies and few or no clinical trials; one pharmacovigilance case series (FACT) documented ivermectin adverse events reported to academic centers [1] [2] [3].
1. Where the formal literature points: reviews and audits
Systematic reviews and narrative reviews are the clearest entry points because they compile scattered reports: Current Oncology Reports and a 2025 review catalog ivermectin’s preclinical anticancer activity and note the gap to human data; the Annals of Oncology abstract found 269 PubMed hits from 2000–2025 but concluded there were zero clinical human trials in that set and 50 preclinical studies [4] [1]. A ResearchGate-hosted review and other reviews summarize the few case reports and note most evidence is in vitro or in animals [5] [3].
2. Case compilations and “success stories”: sources and credibility
There are multiple publicly posted compilations and blogs compiling individual patient reports (for example OneDayMD’s large “case report” collections and blog posts collecting hundreds of anecdotes) that claim remissions when ivermectin was combined with other off‑label drugs [6] [7] [8]. These sources are not peer‑reviewed registries and often mix concomitant conventional therapies, making causality impossible to establish; reviews cited above flag these as anecdotal and emphasize the lack of controlled data [5] [3].
3. Pharmacovigilance reports and adverse‑event series to check
For safety‑focused, clinically documented reports, the FACT pharmacovigilance sub‑registry published a prospective case series of 40 patients who developed adverse events after ivermectin use during COVID‑19, detailing doses, routes, and outcomes — a useful model for toxicity surveillance though not cancer‑specific [2]. Other pharmacovigilance and regulatory summaries (FDA, JAMA/press coverage) are mentioned in reviews and news pieces that discuss drug interactions and risks such as neurotoxicity and interactions with CYP3A4 substrates used in oncology [9] [10].
4. Clinical trials and meeting abstracts to follow
There is at least one small phase I/II trial combining ivermectin with immunotherapy in metastatic triple‑negative breast cancer that appeared in conference reporting (ASCO abstract / JCO entry) and was discussed in reviews and patient‑facing outlets; early reports suggest minimal signal in tiny cohorts [4] [10] [11]. Annals of Oncology surveillance also searched conference and news coverage and found internet interest far outpacing human clinical evidence [1].
5. Practical search strategy and databases to use next
Begin with: PubMed and Google Scholar for terms “ivermectin AND cancer AND case report” or “ivermectin AND adverse event AND oncology” and then screen reviews cited above for their case tables [5] [3]; pharmacovigilance literature such as the FACT/ACMT COVID‑19 ToxIC sub‑registry paper for methods and similar registries [2]; conference proceedings (ASCO/JCO, Annals abstracts) for phase I/II reports noted in Current Oncology Reports and Cancer News [4] [1] [10]. Use mainstream regulatory and cancer‑society resources (MSKCC, Macmillan) for safety guidance referenced in reviews [12] [11].
6. What the available sources say about benefits versus harms
Preclinical papers show multiple anticancer mechanisms in cell lines and mice, and some synergistic in vitro combinations (e.g., with rMETase) are published [3] [13] [14]. Reviews and expert commentary repeatedly state there is no high‑quality evidence in humans and warn about toxicity, drug interactions, and misinformation driving unsafe self‑medication [4] [10] [9]. Pharmacovigilance data show hospital presentations and serious adverse events when ivermectin was self‑used or veterinary formulations taken [2].
7. Limitations, conflicts and implicit agendas to watch
Academic reviews and major cancer centers emphasize lack of human trials and patient safety [4] [11]. Conversely, online compilations and some clinicians/bloggers promoting protocols publish large case lists without peer review and may have commercial or advocacy agendas that inflate apparent benefit [6] [7] [8]. The Annals audit highlights intense social‑media interest that can outstrip scientific backing [1].
8. Bottom line and next steps for researchers or clinicians
If you need rigorously documented case series or pharmacovigilance reports, start with peer‑reviewed reviews and the FACT pharmacovigilance paper, then track ASCO/JCO abstracts and the Current Oncology Reports bibliography for primary sources [4] [2] [1]. Available sources do not mention large, controlled case series proving efficacy in patients with cancer; safety signals and anecdotal compilations exist and must be weighed cautiously [3] [10].