Artemisinin und seine Derivate – eine neue Option für die Krebstherapie?

Zusammenfassung

Artemisinin und seine Derivate sind nicht nur hochwirksame Medikamente gegen Malaria. Zahlreiche präklinische und vorläufige klinische Daten deuten darauf hin, dass sie auch therapeutisches Potenzial für die Onkologie besitzen könnten. Artemisinin-basierte Medikamente induzieren oxidativen Stress und DNA-Schäden und hemmen die Angiogenese. Tumorzellen sterben durch diese Substanzen, indem sie verschiedene Formen des Zelltodes hervorrufen (Apoptose, Autophagie, Ferroptose). Zytostatika-resistente Tumorzellen werden durch Artemisinin und seine Derivate effektiv abgetötet. Artemisinin-Derivate zeigen mit verschiedenen Standard-Krebsmedikamenten, Radiotherapie und therapeutischen Antikörpern additive bis synergistische Therapieeffekte gegenüber Tumorzelllinien. Ergebnisse aus klinischen Studien zeigten positive Ergebnisse, jedoch sollte bedacht werden, dass die behandelten Gruppen bisher nur klein waren. Individuelle Heilversuche sollten nur von approbierten Ärzten vorgenommen werden. Bis zur routinemäßigen klinischen Anwendung von Artemisinin und seinen Derivaten in der Krebstherapie wird sicherlich noch einige Zeit vergehen. Die bisherigen Ergebnisse sind jedoch vielversprechend.

Abstract

Artemisinin and its derivatives are not only highly effective drugs against malaria. Numerous preclinical and preliminary clinical data suggest that they also may have therapeutic potential for oncology. Artemisinin-based drugs induce oxidative stress and DNA damage and inhibit angiogenesis. Tumor cells die through these substances by inducing various forms of cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis). Drug-resistant tumor cells are effectively killed by artemisinin and its derivatives. Artemisinin derivatives show additive to synergistic therapy effects against tumor cell lines with various standard cancer drugs, radiotherapy and therapeutic antibodies. Results from clinical trials showed positive results, but it should be borne in mind that the treated groups were only small. Individual healing attempts should only be undertaken by approved physicians. There will certainly be some time left, before the routine use of artemisinin and its derivatives will be established in cancer therapy. However, the results to date are promising.

Schlüsselwörter

Artemisia annua - Endoperoxid - Krebs - Naturstoffe - Phytotherapie - Sesquiterpenlactone - traditionelle chinesische Medizin

Key words

Artemisia annua - cancer - endoperoxide - natural products - phytotherapy - sesquiterpene lactones - traditional Chinese medicine

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