# Source note — Ivermectin + mebendazole cancer cohort

Date added: 2026-05-29  
Section: Health papers, studies & films  
Status: Real paper; observational and hypothesis-generating, not proof of a cancer cure.

## Original social claim

A Facebook Reel claimed that the largest human study of ivermectin and mebendazole in cancer patients found a very high clinical benefit ratio, including cancer disappearance, tumor shrinkage, or stabilization.

## Paper located

- Title: *Real-world Clinical Outcomes of Ivermectin and Mebendazole in Cancer Patients: Results from a Prospective Observational Cohort*
- Journal: *Anticancer Research*
- Year/issue/pages: 2026; 46(6):3243–3255
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.18194
- PMID: 42203321
- Article page: https://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/46/6/3243

## What the Reel got right

- The paper is real.
- It reports a clinical benefit ratio of 84.4%.
- It reports patient categories including no evidence of disease, tumor regression, and stable disease.

## Important caveats

- This was a prospective observational cohort, not a randomized controlled cancer trial.
- Outcomes were patient-reported.
- The final cohort was 197 patients, with 122 completing 6-month follow-up.
- Many participants also reported other interventions, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, supplements, and dietary modification.
- The paper itself supports the need for randomized controlled trials.

## Editorial framing

Managing Expectations should frame this as: real published paper; interesting and controversial observational data; not proof that ivermectin/mebendazole cures cancer; not a substitute for oncology care.

## Safety note

This source note is for public-interest research only. It is not medical advice, treatment guidance, dosing guidance, or an instruction to use ivermectin or mebendazole for cancer.