IVERMECTIN AS A POTENTIAL ANTITUMOR AGENT: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW.

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the major global public health challenges, driving the search for more effective, safe, and innovative therapeutic strategies. In this context, ivermectin, traditionally used as an antiparasitic agent, has gained scientific attention due to its potential repositioning as an antitumor drug. Preclinical evidence suggests that ivermectin acts through multiple mechanisms, including modulation of cellular signaling pathways such as WNT/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT/mTOR, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, and reduction of cancer stem cell viability. Furthermore, its ability to interfere with fundamental intracellular processes, such as nuclear transport, reinforces its pleiotropic pharmacological profile. Despite these promising findings, pharmacokinetic limitations, including low solubility and variable bioavailability, as well as the need for high concentrations to achieve therapeutic effects, represent significant challenges for clinical application. In this scenario, strategies such as nanoencapsulation have been explored to optimize drug delivery and enhance its efficacy. Additionally, the widespread use of ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both its repositioning potential and the risks associated with indiscriminate use, reinforcing the importance of an evidence-based approach. Therefore, although ivermectin emerges as a promising candidate in oncology, well-designed and controlled clinical trials are essential to validate its safety and efficacy in humans.