BAK1 and colonic neoplasm: In addition to having potent anti-malarial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, and other actions, artesunate also has considerable anti-tumor effects.97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102In vitro tests performed by Lee et al103 on CX1, LS174T, and HCT116 human colon cancer cells revealed that 15 mg/kg artesunate could dramatically reduce the expression of DR5 (death receptor 5), Bax (Bcl-2-associated X protein), and Bak (Bcl-2 homologous antagonist killer) as well as suppress tumor development.