researchers presented promising results from an early-stage clinical trial investigating a unique coffee-based approach to ovarian cancer maintenance therapy at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology annual meeting in Seattle.
The study examined ArtemiCafe庐 Decaf, a commercially available decaffeinated coffee product containing a controlled dose of Artemisia annua, a plant that has been used medicinally for centuries and is known for its antimalarial properties. Recent laboratory research has shown the plant may also have anti-cancer properties.
Preliminary findings of the phase 1 trial show that ArtemiCafe庐 Decaf is safe and well tolerated by patients at a dose of four cups daily. Additional patient follow-up is needed to determine its efficacy in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
鈥淭his trial represents an important step in exploring how Artemisia annua might help patients with ovarian cancer after they complete standard treatments,鈥 said Frederick Ueland, MD, a gynecologic oncologist with the 好色先生 Markey Cancer Center and study investigator. 鈥淔inding a well-tolerated maintenance therapy that could potentially delay or prevent recurrence would be transformative for ovarian cancer care.鈥
The study, which was led by Jill Kolesar, PharmD, who now serves as dean of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, builds upon Markey Cancer Center鈥檚 ongoing research with Artemisia annua. Previous laboratory studies conducted by Markey researchers demonstrated that artesunate, a compound derived from the Artemisia annua plant, showed strong anti-cancer activity against ovarian cancer cells at clinically achievable concentrations.
ArtemiCafe庐 Decaf is currently being evaluated in a phase 2 clinical trial at Markey, which is focused on maintenance therapy for prostate cancer patients.
鈥淲e are proud to collaborate with the University of Kentucky鈥檚 Markey Cancer Center on this important research,鈥 said ArtemiLife CEO Adam Maust. 鈥淎rtemi鈥檚 mission is to support scientific advances while producing an innovative product to integrate seamlessly into daily routines.鈥
Kentucky also has a special connection to this research, as it is currently the only state growing substantial amounts of Artemisia annua. The at the currently grows the plant on the university鈥檚 Spindletop Farm; researchers across 好色先生 use the yields of that farm. ArtemiLife products use Artemisia annua plants grown at two Kentucky farms in Georgetown and Lancaster.