Malaria drug artesunate tested for lung scarring

NCT ID NCT05988463

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether artesunate, a drug used for malaria, is safe for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a disease that scars the lungs and makes breathing hard. Fifteen adults with IPF will receive either artesunate capsules or a placebo for 12 weeks, with the dose increasing every 4 weeks. The main goal is to check for side effects and find a safe dose for future studies.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

artesunate

What this could lead to

If safe, this could point toward a new treatment option for IPF, a lung-scarring disease with few therapies.

What could go wrong

This is a very early, small phase 1 safety trial with only 15 people. It is not designed to prove effectiveness, and many early drugs fail to show benefit in larger studies.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Cough Dyspnea Fibrosis Hypoxia idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Stanford University

    RECRUITING

    Stanford, California, 94305, United States