Why NCI's study of ivermectin is alarming career scientists

The NCI director didn't cite new evidence that prompted the agency to look into the effectiveness of the antiparasitic drug against cancer. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

February 10, 2026 Check out STAT+

Sponsored By

LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images) National Cancer Institute studying ivermectin's 'ability to kill cancer cells,' alarming career scientists NCI Director Anthony Letai cites public interest in starting a preclinical study on ivermectin. One cancer researcher 'shocked and appalled' at the news. By Rachana Pradhan | KFF Health News STAT+ | FDA warned a Hims & Hers compounder after finding bugs and failing to report a serious side effect The December warning letter is not yet publicly available but was referenced on the FDA web site as part of a list of compounding facilities. By Ed Silverman Landmark settlement could create new protections for harm reduction under disability law  A Christian group announces a potentially landmark legal settlement that the ACLU says could establish new federal protections for harm reduction services. By Lev Facher K. West/CNPRC-UC Davis STAT+ | OHSU board votes to negotiate with NIH and possibly transform its primate center into an animal sanctuary About 1,300 monkeys are killed each year at the OHSU center, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals By Ed Silverman Did the AMA change its position on surgery for transgender minors? Statements from major medical groups on gender-affirming care for minors echo existing practice, but come as political pressure on transgender care grows. By Theresa Gaffney STAT+ | Abridge CTO talks Epic, Microsoft, and rebranding as 'more than an AI scribe' In an interview, Zack Lipton, chief technology officer of Abridge, talks about how the company sees the marketplace for AI scribes evolving. By Brittany Trang Adobe Opinion: The new childhood vaccine guidelines have a paid leave problem Countries with strong parental leave policies don't have to worry about infants getting sick with RSV or rotavirus at day care. By Ariana Hendrix Opinion: Insurance companies should pay patients when they make cost-effective health care choices When people carefully chooses the cheaper health care option, they should get some of the money their insurance company saved. By Jared Rhoads

More around STAT

Check out more exclusive coverage with a STAT+ subscription Read premium in-depth biotech, pharma, policy, and life science coverage and analysis with all of our STAT+ articles.

---

Enjoying Daily Recap? Tell us about your experience Continue reading the latest health & science news with the STAT app Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play

STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2026, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails

Update Newsletter Preferences     •    Contact Us     •    Advertise with Us     •    View in Browser