Artesunate, a derivative of artemisinin, has shown promise in targeting cancer cells through various mechanisms. Research suggests that artesunate can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells by disrupting the redox balance within the cells, leading to oxidative stress and ultimately cell death [3]. Additionally, artesunate has been found to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells by disrupting their cell cycle progression and inducing cell cycle arrest [3]. Furthermore, artesunate has been reported to inhibit the migration and invasion of cancer cells, which are crucial processes in cancer metastasis [3]. These findings indicate that artesunate may offer a multifaceted approach in targeting cancer cells, making it a potential candidate for cancer therapy.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/ARTESUNATE
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9942729/
[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-021-00671-8