Killing Cancer Cells with Artesunate

Well-known for its safety in use as an IV preparation as well as an oral administration with little to no side effects – even in high doses – artesunate can be combined with Intravenous Vitamin C or “IVC” as an adjunct or alternative to conventional cancer therapies.

When administered with IVC (intravenous Vitamin C therapy), Artesunate provides important advantages for the following outcomes in cancer prognosis:

• Improved tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy
• Increased survival
• Improved energy
• Improved appetite
• Reduced side effects of chemotherapy
• Improved quality of life

Artesunate is a drug created from Wormwood (Artemesia), originally developed to treat malaria. Artemisinin and its analogs are naturally occurring antimalarials which have been observed to produce potent anti-cancer activity. When examining cancer cultures and cell lines, the anti-tumor properties of these substances inhibited proliferation of cancer growth, metastasis (spread of tumor activity in other parts of the body), and the development of new blood vessels to provide nutrients to tumors (angiogenesis).

The role of iron in cancer

In order to multiply, cancer cells require a large quantity of iron. When administered intravenously, artesunate reacts with iron in the blood stream to form free radicals, killing cancer cells while leaving healthy ones relatively intact.

Research results with artesunate for cancer treatment 

Research from Bastyr Integrative Oncology Research Center shows the combination of IV Artesunate and intravenous Vitamin C (IVC) as viable treatment for advanced cancer. In those diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, after 1 year the group not receiving this approach showed a 74% survival rate, while those receiving the combination therapy were observed to have a 90% survival rate. In the second year, the group not receiving the treatment showed a 68% survival rate compared to the treatment group coming in at 90%. No adverse events were reported.

Sources: https://www.spandidos-publications.com/ijo/18/4/767

How does Artesunate kill cancer?

Cell studies that demonstrate Artesunate’s anti-cancer effects include:

• Glioma (brain tumor)
• AML (Acute myeloid leukemia)
• Ovarian cancer
• Liver cancer
• Breast cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer

Source:

http://www.alternativecancertreatment.ca/artesunate-edmonton

Breast cancer

A 2017 trial examined results when 23 metastatic breast cancer patients received oral artesunate in addition to standard therapies for a 4 week period. Evidence of disease stability was observed in 10 patients, with minor hemotologic effects in 3 patients, and minor hearing changes in 3, and vertigo in 1.  

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28439738

Survival data for the 41 stage IV breast cancer patients

Cervical cancer

Ten cervical cancer patients were treated in a 2011 trial with oral Dihydroartemesinin (DHA), also known as Artenimol for 28 days. Results showed clinical remission with a median time of 7 days for elimination of pain and vaginal discharge.

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22199309

Lung cancer

In a lung cancer trial including 60 patients receiving Artesunate and chemotherapy, a comparison was made to those only receiving chemotherapy. In the trial group, disease control rate was 88.2% compared to 72.7% in the control group. The trial group showed longer progression time.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18241646

The drug initiates cell death (mitochondria apoptosis) and uses iron inside cancerous cells to cause cell destruction.

Source: http://www.alternativecancertreatment.ca/artesunate-edmonto

If you’re interested in adjunct or alternative cancer therapy in Boise/Meridian, Idaho, contact the helpful staff at The Karlfeldt Center for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Cover image: https://unsplash.com/photos/6wHPaj1BFdo Raphael Biscaldi