UCLA-Led Research Exposes Dramatic Rise in Off-Label Ivermectin Use for Cancer
A groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine has documented a significant increase in prescriptions for ivermectin combined with benzimidazole drugs among cancer patients in the United States. Published today in JAMA Network Open, the analysis reveals how celebrity endorsements can rapidly influence healthcare behaviors, prompting a more than twofold surge in these off-label prescriptions.JAMA study
The investigation, drawing from de-identified electronic health records of over 68 million patients across 67 U.S. healthcare organizations via the TriNetX network, compared prescribing patterns from January to July 2025—immediately following a high-profile endorsement—with the same period in 2024. Combination therapy, defined as same-day prescriptions for ivermectin (an FDA-approved antiparasitic for humans) and a benzimidazole such as fenbendazole (primarily veterinary), doubled overall and rose over 2.5 times among those with recent cancer diagnoses.
Mel Gibson's Joe Rogan Podcast Claims Spark National Interest
The catalyst was actor Mel Gibson's appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode #2254 on January 9, 2025. Gibson recounted how three friends with stage IV cancers—described as terminal—achieved full recovery using ivermectin and fenbendazole. The episode garnered over 13 million YouTube views, with clips amplifying across social media platforms, reaching tens of millions more. This anecdote, while compelling, lacks clinical verification, yet it correlated directly with the observed prescribing spike, as visualized in the study's monthly rate graphs showing a sharp uptick post-podcast.
Lead author Michelle S. Rockwell, assistant professor of family and community medicine at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, noted the speed of influence: "We often focus on how to efficiently get evidence into practice. But these findings remind us that some forces can influence care very quickly." Senior author John N. Mafi from UCLA emphasized patient safety: "When prescribing for an unproven cancer treatment more than doubles after a single podcast... it raises a concern that patients may be skipping or delaying treatments we know work."
Dissecting the Data: Who Is Prescribing and Where
The study's Poisson regression analysis, adjusted for age and sex, yielded precise rate ratios (RR) with 99.5% confidence intervals. Overall RR was 1.97 (1.70-2.29); for cancer patients, 2.63 (2.08-3.24). Increases were most pronounced in specific demographics mirroring the podcast's audience profile.
| Group | Overall RR (99.5% CI) | Cancer Patients RR (99.5% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| South Region | 3.12 (2.58-3.77) | 3.91 (3.25-4.71) |
| White Patients | 2.61 (2.28-2.99) | 3.05 (2.60-3.27) |
| Males | 2.11 (1.82-2.44) | 2.79 (2.44-3.00) |
| Ages 40-64 | 2.18 (1.91-2.49) | 2.81 (2.49-3.00) |
Regional disparities were stark: Southern prescriptions surged nearly fourfold for cancer patients, while Northeast saw negligible change (RR 1.04). Younger adults (18-64) drove the trend, with minimal uptake among those 80+. No significant increases among Asian or Black patients.
From Lab Bench to Prescription Pad: Preclinical Promise Unproven in Humans
Ivermectin, discovered in the 1970s and Nobel Prize-winning for parasitic diseases, exhibits antitumor effects in preclinical models—inhibiting proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis via pathways like PAK1 and Wnt/β-catenin. Benzimidazoles like fenbendazole disrupt microtubules similarly to chemotherapy drugs. However, these findings stem from cell lines and mice; no phase III human trials confirm efficacy or safety for cancer.Review of preclinical data
UCLA's Katherine L. Kahn, distinguished professor, warns: "Not all widely shared health information is accurate... Using unproven treatments can carry real risks, especially if it delays care that is known to work." Oncologists nationwide report patients inquiring about adding these to standard regimens, potentially complicating therapies.
University-Led Trials Probe Potential While Cautioning Risks
U.S. universities are responding scientifically. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles runs a phase I/II trial (NCT05318469) combining ivermectin with immunotherapy (balstilimab or pembrolizumab) for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, assessing response rates and safety. Recruiting as of May 2026, it's among few exploring adjunctive roles.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched preclinical studies in early 2026 amid public pressure, evaluating ivermectin's cancer cell-killing ability, though career scientists express concern over resource diversion from proven leads. Virginia Tech and UCLA researchers advocate rigorous trials over anecdotal endorsements.
Public Health Implications: Misinformation's Shadow on Cancer Care
Cancer remains the second-leading U.S. cause of death, with 2 million new cases yearly. Off-label surges risk adverse events—ivermectin neurotoxicity reported—and substitution for proven treatments like surgery, chemo, or immunotherapy. The study's TriNetX data underscores how podcasts (Pew: 50% under-50s source health info there) bypass peer-reviewed channels.
Universities like UCLA are pivotal in countering this via health services research. Rockwell's prior COVID-era ivermectin studies parallel this trend, highlighting recurrent misinformation cycles.
Stakeholder Perspectives from U.S. Academic Centers
Oncology departments report rising inquiries. MD Anderson and Memorial Sloan Kettering experts label it a "disinformation epidemic," urging evidence-based dialogue. Harvard's oncology magazine warns of urgent needs in aggressive cancers like small cell lung, where delays prove fatal.
- Risks of Delay: Forgoing standard care increases progression odds.
- Side Effects: High-dose ivermectin risks dizziness, seizures; fenbendazole untested in humans.
- Equity Issues: Surge among White Southern males may exacerbate disparities.
Toward Evidence-Based Solutions: Universities' Role Ahead
U.S. colleges must amplify literacy programs, leveraging big data like TriNetX for real-time surveillance. Calls grow for FDA guidance on off-label promotion and platform accountability. Future studies will track outcomes, substitution rates, and long-term impacts.
As Mafi concludes, clinicians must meet patients "with information that is both timely and trustworthy." This UCLA-Virginia Tech collaboration exemplifies higher education's vital guardianship over public health amid viral claims.
Photo by Camila Mofsovich on Unsplash