Artemisinin
Overview
Artemisinin fights cancer aggressively, promises the International Journal of Oncology [1]. Cancers resistant to chemotherapy drugs have shown no resistance to artemisinin. This report and others are causing much excitement in the naturopathic community. Artemisinin seems like the perfect approach for ACC patients, since no chemotherapy has yet produced consistent results. Close analysis reveals a few important details a patient should consider before investing in the promised Artemisinin cure.
Artemisinin is the active component of the herb Artemesia annua (sweet wormwood). [2] The Artemisinin extract provides approximately 300 times more of the active ingredient than the whole herb itself. Artemisinin is non-toxic, so treatment can continue indefinitely with no expected side effects. The World Health Organization recommends Artemisinin in the treatment of Malaria in areas where resistance to Malaria drugs has developed.
Artemisinin has a unique chemical structure that prevents cancer resistance. The active molecule in artemisinin reacts with free iron, releasing highly-reactive free radicals that destroy cells harboring free iron. (The iron in our red blood cells is not free iron. Rather, it is strongly bonded to resist the effects of Artemisinin.) Most cancer cells have high rates of iron intake, due to their greedy appetite for blood to support their rapid growth. Thus, if cancer developed resistance to Artemisinin, its blood supply would diminish resulting in tumor death.
Dr. Hoang of Hanoi, Vietnam, reports that 50 – 60% of 400 cancer patients have achieved long-term remission using artemisinin along with a comprehensive cancer-prevention strategy. He has prescribed Artemisinin to cancer patients over the last ten years [3]. Doctors Henry Lai and Narenda Singh, bioengineering professors at the University of Washington, currently conduct on-going research to increase Artemisinin’s effectiveness beyond 50 – 60%.
100% cancer cell death rates have been achieved using Artemisinin in the laboratory, but not in living organisims (i.e. human beings or lab rats). To boost Artemisinin’s effectiveness in the lab, Doctors Lai and Singh first expose the cancer cells to an iron-rich compound before administering Artemisinin. “Since it is relatively easy to increase the iron content inside cancer cells in vivo, administration of artemisinin-like drugs and intracellular iron-enhancing compounds may be a simple, effective and economical treatment for cancer.” [4]
Carolyn’s Conclusion (The conclusion reflects the author’s viewpoint and is not taken from information provided in the body of this essay.)
As an ACC patient myself, I deduce that Artemisinin would have minor effect on ACC, since ACC grows slowly. To achieve better results, Artemisinin treatment should include intracellular iron supplements.
Practical Application
Recommended dose: 25 – 90 mg per 100 pounds of patient
weight. Artemisinin is taken once daily
before bed (cancer growth is more active during sleep). It is quickly absorbed and
reaches its peak concentration in the blood within 40 minutes. Dr. Hoang recommends treatment for
two years to ensure all cancer cells have died.
“Artemisinin is not a singular therapy. It should be used in conjunction with a comprehensive cancer management strategy, together with the help of an integrative medicine physician or an open-minded oncologist.” This quote was taken from the newsletter of Dr. Robert J. Rowen, as were many of the above ideas.
Resources
[1] International Journal of Oncology 18;767-773, 2001 by Efferth, et al.
[2] www.allergyresearchgroup.com sells Artemisinin on-line.
[3] Second Opinion Newsletter, Vol. XII, No.5, by Dr. Robert Jay Rowen, May, 2002
[4] http://depts.washington.edu/bioe/artemisinin.shtml reports research progress for Doctors Lai and Singh.