I10 The anticancer activity of the antimalarial artesunate

Abstract

More than a decade ago, we initiated a research program on the molecular pharmacology of phytochemicals derived from Chinese medicinal herbs. A promising compound was artemisinin from Artemisia annua L. and its semisynthetic compound artesunate [1] . Artemisinin and artesunate are anti-malarial drugs. Our data indicated profound activity against cancer cells, but also against various viruses, Schistosoma, Trypanosoma, and even plant crown gall tumors. To elucidate the molecular mode of actions against cancer, we applied molecular biological and pharmacogenomic approaches in vitro and in vivo. Different signalling pathways were identified not only in cancer cells but also in cells infected with viruses, e.g. HCMV, HSV1 and others [2] . To translate the experimental results in cell lines and animals to the bedside, we report on the compassionate use of artesunate in single cancer patients as well as on our efforts to initiate several clinical phase I/II trials in veterinary tumors as well as in human cervix or colorectal carcinoma. These pilot studies indeed indicate that artesunate is not only useful as antimalarial drug, but also exerts activity against cancer and viral diseases. Clinical results will also be presented that not only artesunate as semisynthetic chemical derivative of artemisinin, but also herbal extracts from Artemisia annua are active in veterinary and human tumor patients. Artesunate represents an illustrative example for the therapeutic potential of medicinal herbs and drugs derived from traditional Chinese medicine.