Researchers at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center have reported promising early results from a clinical trial investigating ArtemiCafe Decaf, a decaffeinated coffee infused with Artemisia annua, as a maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer. Artemisia annua, commonly known as sweet wormwood, has a history in traditional medicine and is recognized for its role in malaria treatment. In this Phase 1 trial, patients consumed four cups of ArtemiCafe Decaf daily following standard treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. The primary objective was to assess the product’s safety and tolerability, with findings indicating no safety concerns and good patient tolerance. However, further follow-up is necessary to determine its efficacy in preventing cancer recurrence.
This research builds upon prior laboratory studies where artesunate, a compound derived from Artemisia annua, demonstrated the ability to kill ovarian cancer cells at concentrations safe for human use. The clinical trial is supported by ArtemiLife, the producer of ArtemiCafe Decaf, which sources its Artemisia annua from farms in Kentucky—the only U.S. state cultivating the plant extensively. While these initial results are encouraging, more comprehensive studies are required to establish the effectiveness of ArtemiCafe Decaf as a preventive treatment for ovarian cancer recurrence.
