Innovative Coffee-Based Treatment Shows Promise for Ovarian Cancer

Researchers at the Markey Cancer Center of the University of Kentucky have unveiled encouraging outcomes from an early-stage clinical trial focusing on a novel coffee-based strategy for maintaining therapy in ovarian cancer patients. The findings were shared at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology's annual meeting held in Seattle.

The clinical trial investigated a product named ArtemiCafe Decaf, a specially formulated decaffeinated coffee that contains a specific dosage of Artemisia annua, a medicinal plant traditionally known for its antimalarial properties. Recent studies have suggested that this plant may possess potential anti-cancer effects.

Initial results from the phase 1 trial indicate that patients tolerated ArtemiCafe Decaf well, with a recommended intake of four cups daily. Further follow-ups with participants are necessary to establish the treatment's effectiveness in combating ovarian cancer.

According to Dr. Frederick Ueland, a gynecologic oncologist involved in the study, this trial marks a significant advancement in researching how Artemisia annua could benefit ovarian cancer patients following standard treatment protocols. Identifying a maintenance therapy that is both well-tolerated and capable of delaying or preventing cancer recurrence could revolutionize care for patients suffering from ovarian cancer.

The study, spearheaded by Dr. Jill Kolesar, who is now the dean of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, builds on the Markey Cancer Center's continuous research efforts involving Artemisia annua. Previous laboratory investigations have demonstrated that artesunate, a compound derived from this plant, exhibits notable anti-cancer activity against ovarian cancer cells at doses achievable in clinical settings.

Currently, ArtemiCafe Decaf is under evaluation in a phase 2 clinical trial at the Markey Cancer Center, which is concentrating on maintenance therapy for prostate cancer patients as well.

ArtemiLife CEO Adam Maust expressed pride in collaborating with the University of Kentucky on this significant research, emphasizing the company's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge while producing innovative products that can be easily integrated into daily routines.

Kentucky is uniquely positioned in this research as it is the only state cultivating significant quantities of Artemisia annua. The Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center, located at the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, grows this plant on the university's Spindletop Farm. Researchers utilize the plant yields from this farm, while ArtemiLife sources its Artemisia annua from farms in Georgetown and Lancaster, Kentucky.