Drug Repurposing for Renal Cell Carcinoma: Ivermectin and Antiparasitics Reviewed (2026)
A July 2026 review evaluates repurposed drugs — including ivermectin and artesunate — against renal cell carcinoma, identifying multiple targetable signalling pathways in preclinical models.
By Sanare Lab · August 6, 2026 · 5 min read
A July 2026 review in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology summarises preclinical and early clinical evidence for repurposed drugs — including ivermectin, artesunate, metformin, and statins — against renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a cancer with poor prognosis in advanced stages. The review identifies multiple actionable signalling pathways and positions drug repurposing as a promising strategy to accelerate new RCC therapies.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common kidney cancer in adults, accounting for approximately 90% of kidney malignancies. While localised RCC is often curable with surgery, metastatic RCC carries a poor prognosis — the 5-year overall survival rate remains low despite advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Resistance to standard treatments is a major clinical challenge.
A comprehensive review published in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology (July 2026) by researchers from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Iran) evaluates the evidence for repurposed drugs against RCC. The review covers agents from multiple drug classes — antiparasitic, antimicrobial, metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and others — and maps their mechanisms of action to specific oncogenic signalling pathways in RCC.
Among the antiparasitic agents reviewed, ivermectin is highlighted for its ability to modulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and JAK2/STAT3 pathways — both of which are frequently dysregulated in RCC. The review positions drug repurposing as advantageous because repurposed drugs have established safety profiles, known pharmacokinetics, and lower development costs compared to novel oncology agents.
Review Overview
The review was authored by Nakhaei A, Taghavi A, Aliyari M, Afshari AR, Gheybi E, and Jalili-Nik M from the Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. It was published in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology on 21 July 2026 (DOI: 10.1007/s00280-026-04923-8).
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Study type | Narrative review |
| Cancer type | Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) |
| Drug classes reviewed | Antiparasitic, antimicrobial, metabolic, mTOR inhibitors, anti-inflammatory |
| Institution | Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran |
| Published | 21 July 2026 — Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology |
| PMID | 42479152 |
Repurposed Drugs Covered
The review evaluates the following repurposed agents against RCC, grouped by drug class:
| Drug Class | Agents | Key Pathways Targeted |
|---|---|---|
| Metabolic/cardiovascular | Metformin, simvastatin | AMPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR |
| Antiparasitic/antimicrobial | Artesunate, ivermectin, ketoconazole, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, niclosamide, doxycycline, pentamidine | PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK2/STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin, autophagy |
| mTOR inhibitors | Temsirolimus, everolimus, rapamycin | mTOR signalling |
| Anti-inflammatory/analgesic | Aspirin, celecoxib | COX-2, NF-κB |
| Other mechanisms | Acetazolamide, disulfiram | Carbonic anhydrase, ROS/oxidative stress |
Ivermectin in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Among the antiparasitic agents, ivermectin is reviewed for its preclinical anticancer activity in RCC. The review notes that ivermectin modulates multiple signalling pathways relevant to RCC biology:
- PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway: a central driver of RCC cell survival and proliferation; ivermectin has been shown to inhibit this pathway in preclinical models.
- JAK2/STAT3 pathway: involved in immune evasion and tumour growth; ivermectin has demonstrated inhibitory effects in cancer cell studies.
- ERK1/2 and RhoA/ROCK pathways: linked to cancer cell migration and invasion.
- Ferroptosis and oxidative stress induction: ivermectin may sensitise cancer cells to iron-dependent cell death.
The review also highlights artesunate (derived from artemisinin) as another antiparasitic with promising RCC activity, noting its ability to induce oxidative stress and autophagy in cancer cells.
Importantly, the review acknowledges that most evidence for these agents in RCC comes from preclinical (cell culture and animal) studies. Clinical trial data in RCC patients are limited, and the review calls for controlled trials to validate these findings.
Evidence Level and Limitations
This is a narrative review — it synthesises existing preclinical and early clinical literature but does not generate new primary data. Key limitations include:
- Most evidence cited is preclinical (cell lines, animal models); clinical trial data in RCC patients are sparse.
- Narrative reviews are subject to selection bias — the authors may have emphasised positive findings.
- Drug repurposing in oncology faces challenges including optimal dosing, drug interactions, and regulatory pathways.
- RCC is a heterogeneous disease; responses to repurposed drugs may vary by RCC subtype (clear cell, papillary, chromophobe).
Overall evidence level: Preclinical and early-stage — promising mechanistic rationale, but clinical validation in RCC patients is needed.
For background, see our guide to how ivermectin works.
We cover this in more depth in our article on ivermectin cancer protocols and dosing.
For the fuller picture, read our deep dive into the Joe Tippens protocol.
Estimate a weight-based regimen with our protocol calculator.
For background, see our guide to the Care Oncology (COC) protocol.
We cover this in more depth in our article on the ISOM metabolic protocol.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is renal cell carcinoma and why is it hard to treat?
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer. While localised RCC is often curable with surgery, metastatic RCC has a poor prognosis. RCC is notoriously resistant to conventional chemotherapy, and while targeted therapies and immunotherapy have improved outcomes, many patients still develop resistance.
Is ivermectin being used to treat kidney cancer in clinical practice?
No. Ivermectin is not an approved treatment for renal cell carcinoma. The evidence reviewed is preclinical — from cell culture and animal studies. There are no completed randomised clinical trials demonstrating that ivermectin treats RCC in humans. Patients should not use ivermectin as a cancer treatment outside of a clinical trial.
What is drug repurposing and why is it attractive in oncology?
Drug repurposing (or repositioning) involves using an existing, approved drug for a new therapeutic indication. Because repurposed drugs already have established safety profiles and known pharmacokinetics, they can potentially reach clinical trials faster and at lower cost than novel drugs. In oncology, this approach is being explored for many existing medications including antiparasitics, statins, and anti-diabetic drugs.
What pathways does ivermectin target in cancer cells?
Preclinical studies suggest ivermectin can modulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway (a key driver of cancer cell survival), JAK2/STAT3 signalling (involved in immune evasion), ERK1/2 and RhoA/ROCK pathways (linked to invasion and migration), and may induce ferroptosis and oxidative stress in cancer cells. These findings are from laboratory studies and have not been confirmed in human RCC patients.
A July 2026 review in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology looked at using existing drugs for a new purpose, including ivermectin, artesunate, metformin, and statins, against renal cell carcinoma, the most common kidney cancer in adults. The review says advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma has a poor outlook and often resists standard treatments. Most evidence was preclinical, meaning from cell and animal studies, with limited patient data. Ivermectin is not an approved kidney cancer treatment, and controlled human trials are still needed.
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References
- Nakhaei A, Taghavi A, Aliyari M, Afshari AR, Gheybi E, Jalili-Nik M. Drug repurposing as a promising therapeutic strategy against renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2026 Jul 21;96(1):80. DOI: 10.1007/s00280-026-04923-8. PMID: 42479152.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The research described is primarily preclinical and has not been validated in human clinical trials for renal cell carcinoma. Do not use this information to make decisions about cancer treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your treatment plan.
Sanare Lab
Science-based health education team reviewing published research on repurposed drugs, integrative oncology, and evidence-based protocols.