Phase I study of oral artesunate in colorectal cancer

Study hypothesis: The primary objective of the study is to determine the anti-cancer effect of oral artesunate in colorectal adenocarcinoma defined as the proportion of malignant cells undergoing apoptosis.
Secondary outcome measures are to establish the tolerability of oral artesunate in colorectal cancer.
Primary outcome(s): A significant difference in the proportion of cells that exhibit apoptosis between the two treatment groups (placebo and artesunate), assessed at the time of surgery, after two weeks of drug treatment.