Dewormer ivermectin as cancer cure? RFK Jr.’s NIH funds “absurd” study

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has embarked on a controversial study funded by federal dollars to explore whether ivermectin, a widely used anti-parasitic drug, could potentially play a role in cancer treatment. This initiative comes despite widespread scientific consensus debunking ivermectin's efficacy against COVID-19, where numerous high-quality clinical trials have demonstrated it offers no therapeutic benefit. Critics argue that there is no credible scientific basis for suggesting that ivermectin could cure cancer, raising concerns over the allocation of taxpayer funds. Under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his fringe medical claims, the NCI has seen a shift in its approach, with many individuals from non-traditional medical backgrounds gaining influence within the agency. During a recent event hosted by the MAHA Institute, Anthony Letai, the NCI director appointed during the Trump administration, discussed the agency's decision to investigate ivermectin further. He stated, "There are enough reports of it, enough interest in it, that we actually did—ivermectin, in particular—did engage in sort of a better preclinical study of its properties and its ability to kill cancer cells and we’ll probably have those results in a few months. So we are taking it seriously." While Letai emphasized the importance of the research, he also cautioned against overhyping the findings. He clarified, "It’s not going to be a cure-all for cancer," and acknowledged that any signals indicating anti-cancer properties from the studies are not particularly strong. This careful balancing act reflects the ongoing tension between scientific rigor and the enthusiasm surrounding alternative treatments.