Olunga R, Jaoko W, Kipkoech R, Natalia G, Tai RJ, Mutanu L, Jengo M, Mwangi FW, Ayuma O, Anosike UG. Molecular targets of ivermectin as a potential repurposed drug in cancer therapy: A scoping review. World J Meta-Anal 2026; 14(2): 121391 [DOI: 10.13105/wjma.v14.i2.121391]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Roy Olunga, BSc, MBChB, Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Nairobi, Ngong Road, Nairobi 00100, Nairobi City, Kenya. royolunga71@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Oncology
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research-article
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Olunga R, Jaoko W, Kipkoech R, Natalia G, Tai RJ, Mutanu L, Jengo M, Mwangi FW, Ayuma O, Anosike UG. Molecular targets of ivermectin as a potential repurposed drug in cancer therapy: A scoping review. World J Meta-Anal 2026; 14(2): 121391 [DOI: 10.13105/wjma.v14.i2.121391]
World J Meta-Anal. Jun 18, 2026; 14(2): 121391 Published online Jun 18, 2026. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v14.i2.121391
Molecular targets of ivermectin as a potential repurposed drug in cancer therapy: A scoping review
Roy Olunga, Walter Jaoko, Reinhard Kipkoech, Gloria Natalia, Ruth J Tai, Lydia Mutanu, Moses Jengo, Faith W Mwangi, Olivia Ayuma, Udochukwu G Anosike
Roy Olunga, Reinhard Kipkoech, Gloria Natalia, Ruth J Tai, Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 00100, Nairobi City, Kenya
Walter Jaoko, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 00100, Nairobi City, Kenya
Lydia Mutanu, Moses Jengo, Faith W Mwangi, Olivia Ayuma, Faculty of Health Science, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 00100, Nairobi City, Kenya
Udochukwu G Anosike, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka 435101, Anambra, Nigeria
Author contributions: Olunga R and Jaoko W conceptualized the research; Olunga R and Natalia G developed the search strategy and retrieved articles from PubMed and EMBASE; Olunga R, Kipkoech R, Natalia G, and Mutanu L screened the literature; Olunga R, Kipkoech R, Natalia G, Mutanu L, Tai RJ, Jengo M, Mwangi FW, and Ayuma O drafted the manuscript; Olunga R, Jaoko W, and Anosike UG revised and edited the final manuscript; Kipkoech R and Tai RJ extracted the data; and all authors reviewed the manuscript and approved the submitted version.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Roy Olunga, BSc, MBChB, Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Nairobi, Ngong Road, Nairobi 00100, Nairobi City, Kenya. royolunga71@gmail.com
Received: March 24, 2026 Revised: April 13, 2026 Accepted: June 1, 2026 Published online: June 18, 2026 Processing time: 80 Days and 22.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Ivermectin shows promise as a repurposed anticancer agent by targeting multiple molecular pathways, including inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, modulation of p21-activated kinase 1 activity, and induction of mitochondrial dysfunction. Its ability to induce apoptosis, suppress tumor growth, and overcome drug resistance highlights its therapeutic potential across diverse cancer types. Available clinical evidence is preliminary and requires rigorous clinical validation to establish safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing in oncology. Ivermectin’s multitargeted mechanisms make it a possible candidate for cancer therapy, but translation into clinical practice demands cautious, evidence-based evaluation through well-designed clinical trials.
