The Medical Advisor

Cancer immunotherapy represents a major paradigm shift in oncology — mobilizing a patient's own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, rather than relying solely on surgery, radiation, or cytotoxic chemotherapy. It has emerged as a fourth pillar of effective cancer treatment , offering durable responses and, in select cancers, the potential for long-term remission. Immunotherapy became widely known when former President Jimmy Carter’s medical team used it to treat his metastatic melanoma cancer. When the former president announced in August, 2015 that malignant tumors had been found in both his liver and his brain, most people presumed that he would be dead within months. But just four months later he surprised the world with the news that, following a remarkable and revolutionary new treatment, there was no sign of cancer in his body. The treatment he received was a drug classified as an “immune checkpoint inhibitor”. This class of medications has kicked off a revolut...

Abstract Background: Head and neck cancers (HNC), predominantly squamous cell carcinomas, remain a significant global health burden with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in advanced or recurrent disease. Despite progress in surgery, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, treatment resistance and toxicity continue to limit long-term outcomes. Repurposed antiparasitic agents, including ivermectin and fenbendazole, have gained attention for their potential anticancer properties based on preclinical evidence and emerging anecdotal clinical observations. Objective: To evaluate the biological rationale, preclinical evidence, and real-world anecdotal data supporting the use of ivermectin and fenbendazole in head and neck cancers, and to contextualize these findings within current oncologic treatment paradigms. Methods: A narrative synthesis was conducted integrating mechanistic studies, preclinical oncology literature, and publicly available case reports involving ivermectin and fe...