There is a bit of excitement about Artemisinin in osteosarcoma (the most common bone cancer) care for dogs these days, so I thought I should give you some thoughts.
Artemisinin is used for malaria infections. It is derived from the sweet wormwood, which has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine for fever. Presumably things causing fevers (like malaria) would be killed by this herb.
Recently there is interest in artemisinin and related compounds for potential cancer care in dogs. This was started, I believe, in the late nineties due to some personal anecdotes and some science being done in Seattle by Drs Lai and Singh, at University of Washington. Discussion boards on Yahoo and the like spread the word.
It is likely that some of the initial anecdotes were from dog lovers owning dogs with osteosarcoma. This caused a stir in the osteosarcoma community, but the publications so far do not limit artemisinin’s effect to bone cancer cells. Other cancer cells have been evaluated, with some support. However, much of the evidence is from in vitro (test tube) studies, but there are some limited in vivo (in living bodies) data. More on this later.
The way this stuff is suspected to work is by oxidizing iron. Cancer cells take up more iron than normal body cells. The iron gets in through a protein channel called transferrin. The cancer cells have a higher requirement to sustain all the dividing they do.
Oxidized iron, in this form, is pretty reactive. The process turns the iron into a free radical, which reacts with parts of the cancer cell to cause injury. This is one way that artemisinin is supposed to work. Since normal body cells have much less iron, the are less affected by this damage.
It also seems to have the ability to slow the development of the growth of new blood vessels around tumors. Tumors need to be fed because they have very high metabolic demands as they grow a lot. So they cause the body to grow new arteries and veins to feed themselves. This process is called angiogenesis.
Turns out there is pretty good evidence artemisinin slows this process by shutting down the genes that create the new blood vessels. Turn off the genes, turn of the process, less cancer food supply.
We’ll look a bit more at artemisinin in the next post.
Best,
Dr Dressler
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Is it safe to use artemisinin on a dog with a 2nd degree AV heart block? My chow chow was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and I was told by Dr. Lai that artemisinin can be effective against CLL. Dr. Lai also mentioned that artemisinin can have an effect on the electrical activity of the heart, so I want to make sure it is safe before trying it. Do you think it would be safe to try?
Dear Doryah-
I have not seen this in clinical practice but it does not mean the possiblity does not exist. Whenever we are in the realm of steps that do not have clinical trials there is always some degree of risk…even with clinical trials. There are other items that can be used in place of artemisinin to induce apoptosis (apoptogens). Have you read the Guide? Discuss Apocaps with your vet. (Always confirm all steps with your veterinarian.)
Best
Dr D
Dear Dr. Dressler,
Thanks for your reply. For now, I have decided against trying the artemisinin because I am afraid to take any risks. Yes, I just received your book and have been reading it. What I’m finding is there is not a lot of info re chronic lymphocytic leukemia in dogs. I was told not to give antioxidants by regular vet as his immune system is already overly stimulated. Another Chinese medicine vet said it would be okay, so it’s getting confusing. Are the Apocaps antioxidants? Do you feel that natural treatments for CLL are different than other forms of cancer? thanks, Doryan
Dear Dr. Dressler,
Are Apocaps appropriate for chronic lymphocytic leukemia? I just read in your book that they are good for any type of cancer. Since his lymphocyte count is already high (B cells are cloning) I am afraid of overstimulating. Can I get your opinion re this? I don’t believe my vet is aware of Apocaps or if they are appropriate for CLL.
Doryan,
here is information about antioxidants and pro oxidants you should read:
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/anti-oxidants-versus-pro-oxidants/
apocaps is more of a pro-oxidant therapy.
As to the general treatment recommendations in the Guide, these hold for most cancers including CLL as many of the cancer pathways and effects in the body are shared between cancers…which is why the book uses these strategies specifically- to address shared paths.
Best
DrD
Hey there, I was wondering whether the process Artemisinin put’s the cancerous cells through, could cause inflammation or pain at all? My Rottie Bitch has had a slow growing tumour in a Carpal bone. Xray’s around 4 weeks ago showed the growth was mostly Soft Tissue, but the bone had some reaction. Although it’s not in a long bone, it’s believed that this is an Osteosarcoma.
Amputation is not an option, with her always having an Arthritic hind leg on the same side. Bonnie was not lame with it originally. I started Artemisinin 2 weeks ago. The growth has grown marginally, but she is reluctant to weight bare now. I do understand that the pain can come on suddenly and gradually worsen.
We have taken the chance of taking her off the Pred’s she was on every 3rd day for the Canine Atrophic Masticatory Muscle Myositis she was diagnosed with around 3 years ago. This was to see whether NSAID’s would be able to mange her pain. We started Metacam on Friday last week, and are using Tramadol but we’re having no joy. Are there any pain med’s you would recommend? I want to give her every chance at a pain free, comfortable time with us, for as long as she is here.
I know there are no miracle cures, but the tumour seem’s so small – she’s such a happy, healthy dog barring the obvious.
Thank you,
Gemma
My dog was just diagnosed with osteosarcoma. I was interested in your blog.
Thanks
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