Artesunate and Artemisinin-based Drugs

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better time to disease progression but no evidence of improved 1-year survival among people with non small-cell lung cancer treated with artesunate
• Weak evidenceone or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of some better prognostic markers among people with cervical cancer treated with artenimol-R
• Weak evidence of better response to chemotherapy among 2 people with metastatic uveal melanoma treated with artesunate
• Weak (preclinicaltesting a drug, a procedure, or another medical treatment in isolated cells or in animals; preclinical evidence is considered only an initial indication of possible effects in people) evidence of anticancer activity with brain, breast, cervical, colorectal, endometrial, endothelial, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, plus leukemia, lymphoma, oral squamous cell carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and sarcoma

See How can artemisinin-based drugs help you? What the research says ›

• Weak evidenceone or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of an increase of immune function among HIV-positive people treated with artesunate

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• Weak evidenceone or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less pain and vaginal discharge from cervical cancer among people with adenocarcinoma of the cervix treated with artenimol-R

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• No evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. on risk of prostate cancer recurrence in a case study

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• Not mentioned in clinical practice guidelines for cancer care
• Limited use by our program sources (fewer than four)

See How do experts use artemisinin-based drugs? ›

• Moderate caution is needed.
• May interact with other treatments, including oxidative chemotherapies or radiation, HIV antiviral treatment, cardiovascular, antibiotic, and antiparasitic drugs.
• Supervision by a medical professional is highly recommended.

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• Requires a prescription by a licensed physician
• Very expensive (between $2000 US and $50,000 US/year)
• Insurance coverage for cancer treatment is unlikely.

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