Negative in Ames, CHO chromosome aberration and in vivo micronucleus assays
“In studies conducted by the Applicant, artesunate was negative in the Ames test, mammalian chromosome aberration assay (CHO), and in vivo micronucleus assay (up to 500 mg/kg, highest concentration tested).”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 39Source ↗
Carcinogenicity
Not conducted (short treatment duration, up to 7 days)
“No carcinogenicity studies have been conducted with artesunate. Given the short duration of treatment (up to 7 days) carcinogenicity studies are not indicated.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 39Source ↗
Instead of carcinogenicity
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
Instead of genotoxicity
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
DRG histopathology
Not stated in public reviews
Not reported in the public reviews. Reviewers summarise selectively, so this usually means it wasn't discussed publicly, not that it wasn't studied.
Reproductive & developmental
Oral EFD in rats, rabbits and monkeys: post-implantation loss at well below clinically relevant doses
“Oral administration of artesunate during organogenesis caused a significant increase in post-implantation loss in pregnant rats, rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys at significantly less than clinically relevant doses based on body surface area comparisons.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 40Source ↗
Safety pharmacology
No cardiovascular effects in conscious dogs at IV doses up to 40 mg/kg (~9x clinical dose)
“No adverse effects on cardiovascular function were observed in conscious beagle dogs following single or repeated (up to 27 days) IV dosing up to 40 mg/kg, approximately nine times the clinical dose based on body surface area comparison.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 38Source ↗
Genotox: Ames
Negative
“In studies conducted by the Applicant, artesunate was negative in the Ames test, mammalian chromosome aberration assay (CHO), and in vivo micronucleus assay (up to 500 mg/kg, highest concentration tested).”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 39Source ↗
Genotox: in vitro mammalian
Chromosome aberration assay (CHO): negative
“In studies conducted by the Applicant, artesunate was negative in the Ames test, mammalian chromosome aberration assay (CHO), and in vivo micronucleus assay (up to 500 mg/kg, highest concentration tested).”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 39Source ↗
Genotox: in vivo
Mouse and rat micronucleus assays: negative
“The potential genotoxicity of artesunate was investigated by the Applicant (bacterial reverse mutagen assay, in vitro chromosome aberration assay and 2 in vivo micronucleus assays (mouse and rat) and was found to be negative for genotoxic or mutagenic potential.”
Not conducted (short treatment duration, up to 7 days)
“No carcinogenicity studies have been conducted with artesunate. Given the short duration of treatment (up to 7 days) carcinogenicity studies are not indicated.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 39Source ↗
Carcinogenicity timing
Not required: short treatment duration (up to 7 days)
“No carcinogenicity studies have been conducted with artesunate. Given the short duration of treatment (up to 7 days) carcinogenicity studies are not indicated.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 39Source ↗
hERG / QT
No adverse cardiovascular effects in conscious dogs at IV doses up to 40 mg/kg (~9x clinical dose)
“No adverse effects on cardiovascular function were observed in conscious beagle dogs following single or repeated (up to 27 days) IV dosing up to 40 mg/kg, approximately nine times the clinical dose based on body surface area comparison.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 38Source ↗
Not genotoxic overall: Ames negative; in vitro chromosome aberration positive without (not with) metabolic activation; rat micronucleus and comet negative