Artemisinin annua and its derivatives have been used for centuries to treat and prevent malaria. In recent years emerging preclinical and clinical evidence suggest significant anticancer activity. While a variety of anticancer mechanisms of action have been proposed, the specific mechanisms of activity and resistance have not been precisely defined. In addition, artemisinin represents pharmacological challenges in it's short half-life and poor bioavailability which a number of groups are developing novel approaches to overcome these pharmacological short-comings. The goal of this collection is to evaluate critical issues in the potential role of Artemisinin in treating cancer.
An evaluation of the potential clinical activity, mechanism of anticancer activity and resistance and pharmacological challenges is missing from the literature and is the focus of this special issue.
This Research Topic will be focused on, but not limited to, high quality research related to the following:
- Pre-clinical/Clinical Articles discussing the preclinical and clinical activity of artemisinin and various cancer types.
- Novel Formulations and Delivery Methods. Artemisinin and derivatives have pharmacological challenges, and advances in formulation and delivery methods are of interest.
- Pharmacology. The anticancer mechanism of action of artemisinin and derivatives as well as resistance mechanisms have not been conclusively defined. Articles evaluating potential anticancer mechanisms of action and resistance artemisinin are also welcome.
Guidelines for Authors submitting to this topic:
As many anticancer drugs working as cytotoxic compounds have non-selective effects annihilating their potential therapeutic benefits, manuscripts are advised to provide evidence of a significant selectivity towards cancer cells (vs. healthy cells). Specifically, if the studied anticancer drug or modality does not target an oncogenic pathway, the authors should make every effort possible to prove that the cytotoxic or cytostatic effects they have identified exhibit selectivity for cancer cells (ideally 1 log difference in EC50 or IC50) vs. non-malignant cells (eg, fibroblasts or primary culture of cells).
The authors should also demonstrate the applicability of their anticancer modalities on a minimum of two well-authenticated cancer cell lines (ideally originating from distinct organs/tissues). The utilization of in vivo models must also be supported by such evidence.
In addition, for manuscripts dealing with plant extracts or other natural substances/compounds, the composition and the stability of the study material must be described in sufficient detail. In particular, for extracts, chromatograms with characterization of the dominating compound(s) are requested. The level of purity must be proven and included.