Dog Cancer and the Malaria Drug Artemisinin
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: October 11th, 2021
Summary
Artemisinin for dogs with cancer? Yup. This herb can help make chemo more effective, and may also target cancer directly.
The anti-malarial remedy artemisinin may be beneficial for dogs with osteosarcoma (the most common bone cancer). And more good news: it may also help several other cancers.
Studies have shown this herb can help chemotherapy do its job, and may also target cancer directly!
Let’s take a closer look at using artemisinin for dogs with cancer because there are several things to consider.
From Malaria to Cancer
Artemisinin is most famous for treating malaria infections.
It is derived from sweet wormwood, which has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat fevers.
Chinese scientist YouYou Tu even won the Nobel Prize in 2015 for her discovery of the compound and its anti-malarial properties.
Many drugs and remedies originally used for one thing turn out to have additional properties.
And as it turns out, artemisinin is also helpful in the fight against cancer.
How Artemisinin Works
Artemisinin reacts with iron in the body. How could that help with cancer?
Well, cancer cells take up more iron than normal body cells, because of their habit of rapidly dividing.
More Iron Uptake Creates Free Radicals Which Damage Cancer Cells
This iron uptake creates free radicals, which are little unstable atoms that can cause major damage in the body.
Normally, this is not good, because we don’t want healthy cells to encounter free radicals.
But when those free radicals are in cancer cells, it’s actually a good thing.
The free radicals caused by the extra iron in cancer cells react with parts of the cancer cell to cause injury.
Since normal body cells have much less iron, they are less affected by this damage.
For more helpful information and tools, get a copy of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide
Again, when it comes to cancer, more free radicals (inside cancer cells) is desirable.
But that’s not all that artemisinin does!
Other Artemisinin Benefits
Some of the other properties that artemisinin has shown in studies include:
- Sensitizing cells to chemo drugs, making them more effective
- Increasing apoptosis
- Decreasing cancer cell communication
- Decreasing angiogenesis, the creation of new blood vessels that feed the tumor
Problems with Using Artemisinin
One of the challenges of using artemisinin is that it has a short half-life. That means it doesn’t stick around long.
It also has low bioavailability. This means that the digestive system may destroy it before it gets to the cancer cells where it is needed.
To help counteract these factors, some synthetic versions have been created. These forms can be more effective.
Artemisinin for Dogs
In a recent podcast (episode below), my colleague Dr. Nancy Reese, DVM, PhD, says that artemisinin has been shown to be beneficial for these cancers:
- Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
- Melanoma
- Breast cancer
- Rectal Cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Kidney cancer
For dogs and owners battling osteosarcoma, anything that might help is welcome!
Many of the artemisinin studies have been done in vitro (in the lab). Others have been done using human subjects.
Humans and dogs are very similar when it comes to cancer, so what helps us may help them, and vice versa.
But some artemisinin studies have used or looked at dogs.
And one study even showed increased survival times for dogs who got artemisinin.
How Much Artemisinin to Give to Dogs
We are still learning the best dosage and dosage frequency.
In the past, it has been recommended to give artemisinin for five days or so and then take five days off. This is called “pulse dosing.”
But the current general recommendation is to give a lower dose every day consistently.
This still gets good results, but with fewer side effects.
The possible dose spread is huge, vaguely around 2 to 15 mg per pound one time a day. There is much variation on recommended doses.
It’s best to work with your veterinarian about dosing artemisinin, because there is no “one best dose” and frequency that fits all dogs and all situations.
Note: Keep in mind that if you are using my other “big gun” herbal apoptogen, Apocaps, you shouldn’t use both Apocaps and artemisinin on the same day. They are both potent, and artemisinin can be hard on the stomach (see below). If you want to use both together, rotate their use.
How to Give Artemisinin to Dogs
I recommend giving artemisinin with a small amount of something with fat. This could be fish oil, krill oil, peanut butter, or cream cheese.
This is because fat helps to increase the bioavailability of artemisinin.
NOTE: as always, if your dog has pancreatitis, avoid extra fats!
Some people recommend giving artemisinin with iron-rich foods, such as red meat.
Others are concerned that the artemisinin would react with the iron in the stomach, before it can get to the cancer cells.
Because of this, I recommend giving artemisinin four hours before or after a meal. This helps make sure the artemisinin targets the iron in the cancer cells.
But as always, ask YOUR vet the best plan for your dog. Your dog may have unique needs!
No Antioxidants With Artemisinin
When your dog has cancer, you often use more than one supplement, and sometimes you use an immune booster or antioxidant supplement.
If you do, remember that artemisinin is pro-oxidant and works by creating free radicals in cancer cells.
Antioxidants can counteract artemisinin’s effects.
Antioxidants will destroy those free radicals that are killing the cancer cells.
Because of this, giving artemisinin along with antioxidants can make it less effective.
How to Choose Artemisinin for Your Dog
As with any supplement, choose your product wisely and choose a reliable brand that makes a product to human-grade standards.
The absolute best way to pursue artemisinin with your dog is to see a veterinarian who uses it regularly and can recommend a reliable product.
They’ll also be able to give you the best dose and timing schedule for your dog’s situation.
When NOT to Give Artemisinin
Artemisinin is a powerful compound and can have negative effects as well as positive ones.
- Do not give artemisinin if your dog is getting radiation therapy. The current recommendation is to separate these two therapies by a couple months.
- Dogs with seizure disorders also should not get artemisinin.
Overall, artemisinin is very safe with low toxicity. However, it can cause adverse effects, such as:
- stomach upset
- bone marrow suppression
While we still have a lot to learn about the best dosing for artemisinin, this herbal compound has a lot of promise as an adjunctive treatment for cancer in dogs.
Best to all,
Dr. D
For more details, you can also check out the recent interview with Dr. Nancy Reese on Dog Cancer Answers.
Here is the video version of the podcast:
Have a Great Question for Dog Cancer Answers Veterinarians?
Call the Listener Line at 808-868-3200
Further Reading and References:
Anticancer and Antimalarial Efficacy and Safety of Artemisinin-Derived Trioxane Dimers in Rodents
Retrospective study of small pet tumors treated with Artemisia annua and iron
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
My Golden Pyrenees mix, Luna (just turned 7) was just diagnosed with anaplastic sarcoma, giant cell type, high grade. Her blood tests were good, there was no cancer evident in a lung x-ray and she generally is otherwise in excellent health. I purchased hundreds of dollars of supplements between the time the biopsy was done and now, a week later, when we have the results.(She was originally thought to have OSA, but now has been diagnosed with Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma). I got an OSA drop mix ( from McDowell, in (Australia)),(now that she has MFH not OSA, is it bad to give her these drops?) as well as their Maritime French Pine Bark drops from the same place air shipped, K-9 Immunity Plus Transfer Factor, Noni drops from Nutrimedix and tons of artemisinin (that I have been taking for my chronic Lyme disease). I also bought a dry mix of blue-green algae, spirulina, millet, etc. but I tried giving that to her mixed into cottage cheese, and she wouldn’t take it–since she is a big dog, I had to give her 2 1/2 tablespoons of the mix and that meant a large volume of cottage cheese–2 cups or so, but after the first try, even my “treat motivated puppy” turned her nose up at this.( I have also bought homeopathic stuff— cell salts, heckla lava, and something else I read about on a blog post, but they haven’t arrived yet).
I have read that administering artemisinin should be on a cycle or pulse regimen. If so, and if the immune supports that I’ve gotten Luna (the McDowell supplements and the K-9 Immunity) would be contra-indicated when she is on the artemisinin, should I be giving her a week of artemisinin (1,000mg per day–she is 115 pounds), followed by a week of these immune boosters, on and off, or should I limit the artemisinin to just a week or two based on what Jane Rhoades with Pumpkin said? Does artemisinin really work that quickly–especially if there is no other cancer present? What do you think of the homeopathic items? Do they work? Are they contra-indicated when I use the artemisinin–are they contra-indicated with the K-9 Immune plus Transfer factor? Luna is currently on a salmon/chicken low carb diet and takes salmon oil too daily. Anything that you could tell me about the benefits/detriments of alternating immune therapy with artemisinin and dosing/protocols, if the homeopathic items work and when I could fit them in if they are beneficial, would be helpful. Our whole family just so desperately loves Luna and want her to be around for a few more months or even years that I’ll do almost anything–but at the same time, I don’t want to injure her (neuro-toxic effects of long term or high dose artemisinin???), and with the limited info on these supplements (or their interactions with one another) even my vet is stumped..Please help.
Dear Debra,
wow! That’s a lot of questions. First, I am sorry to hear about what is happening with your dog. Here is some info:
Aretemisinin should be pulsed, 5-7 days on then 5-7 days off.
No, immune supplements are not contraindicated with artemisinin- this substance does not work by immune suppression.
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/dog-cancer-and-the-malaria-drug-artemisinin/
BUT, maritime pine, algae, Noni, etc could interfere via their antioxidant effects.
One of the challenges you are facing is you have encountered a lot of supplements and have no reference for what has evidence for efficacy, interactions, and side effects. Luckily this has been done already for you in the Guide, which you really should read. Maritime bark: low priority. Same with Noni. Discussed in Guide.
I can’t find what is in McDowell’s drops, so cannot comment. Maybe he will give you a list, and if so I can do my best.
Blue green algae has little anti cancer effect.
You would be better served with neoplasene, curcumin, luteolin, silymarin, beta glucans, etc.
Please be sure to have veterinary supervision.
All my best
Dr D
wow im so happy i found this site. My doberman was diagnosed with mammary cancer. She is 12 years old and i had the tumors removed alst week. She seems fine and will be going in to have the stiches removed this weel. The vet suggested possible chemo but im concerned with her age.
I have now discovered this “Artemisinim” and was wondering if it would be effective for mammary cancer. Nothng has spread to her vital organs but the vet mentioned something about possible signs on the lymph nodes, i was so shocked with the news i missed some of the info ( I will learn more this weekend)
Thank you. Gypsy has been with me for 12 years and i love her dearly.
Joe
Dear Joe,
artemisin has some interesting anti cancer effects, but we need to define what we mean when we say “effective. First, there is little research in canine mammary cancer and artemisinin (like many natural compounds). Secondly, if you are asking whether artemisin can cure or prevent cancer, I would say the answer is no, not really. However, by using the steps in the Guide, including not only natural compounds like artemisinin, but also diet changes and lifestyle changes, other apoptogens, anti metastatic supplements, and appropriate veterinary care, we can often extend the lifespan of our dogs with cancer. Each tool adds to the next.
Best
Dr D
Hello All,
I wanted to write again and say THANK YOU for all the wonderful nutrition tips that were provided in this book, as well as tips and encouragement from everyone on this blog. My shepherd Lucky, (soulmate and best friend) was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his jaw in Feb, and passed end of July. He was given 2-6 weeks and well out lived that time frame. I immediately changed his diet, put him on herbs, sweet wormwood, essiac tea, and red clover. He also got weekly reiki and heaping amounts of love daily. At 11 years old he was out running, biking, and hiking me until his last few days. I attribute the extra months of living we had to all of these health practices. This has changed my entire perspective on cancer.
Good Luck to all of you and your furry loved ones!
Jessica
My boy’s platelets were 150 last week, it says normal is 200-500. I wrote above also more in detail. I am kind of worried, should I be? Thank you.
Dr. Dressler,
Question on using artemesinin in hemangiosarcoma. Will it cause toxicity to the new red blood cells? My dog is moderately anemic post splenectomy and I would like to use Art, but she needs more red blood cells. Since it targets iron, can iron supplements be given when it is used?
thank you,
Dear Julie,
Bone marrow or red cell injury is not typical of artemisinin, but there are reports of this happening in people rarely.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10212898
Are you seeing a veterinarian who has used art?? This is advised. The iron should be spaced out by at least 4 hours from art dosing in my opinion. Are you using the other strategies also??
Best,
D
Dr. Dressler, my boy is doing well, showing no spreading to the lungs, and his bloodwork good. His platelets are arond 170-185 every 3 weeks, which says they should be 200 or more. My vet says, nothing to worry about. He takes 3.75 mg of Luekeran daily, and 300 mg. total artemisinin. So are you saying maybe he should be taking 600 mg. per day? He has been on this art. for almost 9 months-non stop, should I start giving more-600 mg.s a day, or give 5 days on then 5 off? Any response will be appreciated. Thanks, sorry about misspelling your name above!
I have a 10yo Belgian Shepard, Lucky, who was diagnosed 3 months ago with Osteosarcoma in his jaw. He was given two weeks, and continues to shows no sign of stopping. I give him Tumeric and Essiac Tea daily. In reading about Artemisinin, aka, wormwood, and the success that is happening in people and pets and would like to start Lucky on that as well. However, I have found there are different types of wormwood. I have only been able to find the “common wormwood” or artemisia absinthium, and have read that the “sweet wormwood” or artemisia annua, is type used for cancer. Does anyone know anymore on this?
Dear Jessica,
Briefly, the artemisinin you can find on places like amazon, vitashoppe, etc, tend to be derived from sweet wormwood in my experience.
I believe it would be wise for you to take advantage of some of the research that has already been done for you in an effort to help with this very serious issue. First, I assume you have considered all of the options, including surgery, chemo, radiation, and discussed those with professionals to get all the data you need concerning pros, cons, and increases in life expectancy and life quality (or lack thereof). I am hoping you have defined what your priorities are for your dog (life quality during treatment, life expectancy, minimizing side effects, etc) and addressed any biases in the approach to the cancer. I hope I am not going overboard with all of this but I just wanted to be sure. Of course, don’t forget diet,the combination apoptogen (curcumin/luetolin/apigenin/silymarin), neoplasene, doxycycline, modified citrus pectin, pamindronate, and so on as some choices that might help as well. These are outlined in this blog and in detail in the guide. Don’t forget veterinary supervision with these medical choices- hope this helps!
Best
D
HI There
My 8yr old Greyhound was just diagnoses with early Osteosarcoma to the leg.
He has currently started prednisone and I am giving him vitc with bioflavins 2000mg 2x per day. I have also researched the low carbohydrate high protien diet with the addition of Omega3’s. I would like to start Matty on artemisinin as well as Fosamax (aldenronate).
I live in Australia so will need to buy the first online. Can you please tell me the dosage of both of these. I have been looking but cannot find any clear answers. My vet is open to whatever I choose to do, I will not be putting him through chemo or ampuations. I just want to help support and with luck slow the cancer so we can be as pain free and comforrtable as possible.
I look forward to hearing from you
Kind Regards
JO
PS Matty is about 70kg oops 70lbs I mean…
Dear Jo,
I do not use bioflavins when using artemisinin, nor do I use oral vitamin C at all in combating canine cancer. Much has been written about both vitamin C and the use of antioxidants combined with pro oxidants in this blog and also in more detail in the Guide.
Under veterinary supervision, common doses for artemisinin for a 70 lb dog from roughly 350-700 mg daily. I tend to use the higher dose, but this should be under instruction from your vet…
Hope this helps
D
Is there any risk with taking artemisinin with diltiazem in my great dane?
Dear Marc,
I am not aware of interactions between these medications. However, there has not been formal assessment of this combination. Please assess with your veterinarian.
Dr D
My dog, Pumpkin, now a 13 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (rescued at age 8), was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in February 07. This is an invasive oral cancer. It was in her jaw bone and the vet said it was not a cancer to respond to chemo or radiation. He said as long as she could eat, fine. When she stopped, bring her in to be put down. He predicted the tumor would grow rapidly and she’d have about a month to live in 2007. Pumpkin’s tumor did grow very fast in the next two weeks. It was the size of a golf ball in the very back, under her lower jaw bone. We switched her to soft foods and started the Artemisinin daily after reading stories online. She took (1) 50 mg capsule a day for about 15 days. I started to worry that I was harming her so I stopped. Her tumor had been bleeding constantly and she drooled which her breed doesn’t normally. The bloody drooling stopped in days and the tumor turned gray. It was gross, but her breath smelled like rotting meat. She started to walk funny. Then, she started to go lame. I had switched her to an all raw meat dog food. We changed her back to her regular food because I later read there could be a problem with bacteria in the food processing production. I wondered if the food was the problem. She got to the point where she stayed where you put her. She even peed laying down because she couldn’t stand up or walk well. She never stopped eating. She loves to eat. Gradually, the tumor shrank then disappeared. Her mouth completely healed. She started to move around the room, then around the house. At the end of July, she started to climb the stairs again. We never thought she’d ever do stairs again. She was completely back to her old self. She hadn’t even barked since January ’07, but started at the end of July again. I think she probably had a week or two too many of the Artemisinin, but I was desperate and not sure of dosage or what would really work for her.
A year later, I took Pumpkin for her rabies shot. The tumor began to grow again. This time, I started the Art pills, but gave them to her 3 days apart. I gave her a total of 7 pills, and stopped. The tumor stopped growing and disappeared again. I will not give Pumpkin any more rabies shots. This was January ’09 and Pumpkin was better than ever. Her jaw was crooked from this second round of tumor growing at the jaw juncture, but she’s still a chow hound and doing great. I believe that because I was more careful with the dose, and started it quickly, she did not have any trouble walking this time.
I encourage anyone with a cancer pet to give ART a try. Pumpkin was given a death sentence and we felt we had nothing to lose with ART being such an inexpensive gamble.
Pumpkin is very old now. She doesn’t do stairs any more, but still loves to eat. I give her one ART pill monthly for good measure. There is no evidence of her tumor by touch. We are convinced the ART saved her. We have been blessed by these extra years with her.