Clinical trials are currently underway for the treatment of three types of pre-cancerous lesions using a proprietary formulation of artesunate. Artesunate is a derivative of artemisinin. Its anti-malarial properties have been effective in treating millions of malaria patients, and now it has been formulated in proprietary compounds for topical delivery by Frantz Viral Therapeutics.
In these clinical trials topical artesunate is self-administered via vaginal inserts (similar to yeast infection treatment), anal suppositories, or as an ointment for pre-cancers of cervical, perianal and vulvar/vaginal tissues respectively. The results of the Phase I/IIA studies of artesunate for the treatment of CIN2/3, AIN2/3, and VIN2/3 were: published in Gynecologic Oncology (CIN); was a podium presentation at the American Society for Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting (AIN); and was a poster presentation at the 2023 International Papillomavirus Conference (VIN).
“The availability of a well-tolerated, non-surgical treatment option for persons with HPV-related precancer and persistent HPV infection holds tremendous potential for changing the landscape of care for these conditions, both in the US and globally.”
Dr. Sahasrabuddhe, Program Director, Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Research Group Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
Ongoing Clinical Trials
For detailed information about these clinical trials, visit clinicaltrials.gov. In the Find a study section, select All Studies. Under Conditions and disease, enter Intraepithelial neoplasia. Under Other terms, enter artesunate. Under Country, enter United States.