Curcumin
| Property | Information |
|---|---|
| Drug Name | Curcumin |
| FDA Approval | No (Used as a dietary supplement; not FDA-approved for cancer treatment) |
| Used for | Investigational use in cancer treatment and prevention; also used for symptom management like dermatitis from radiotherapy |
| Clinical Trial Phase | Preclinical studies and early clinical trials |
| Clinical Trial Explanation | Curcumin is being studied in preclinical and early clinical trials to assess its potential as an anti-cancer agent. While not directly focusing on survival metrics like OS or PFS, these studies explore its biochemical mechanisms that could influence cancer cell behavior and patient symptoms.Property "Has clinical trial explanation" (as page type) with input value "Curcumin is being studied in preclinical and early clinical trials to assess its potential as an anti-cancer agent. While not directly focusing on survival metrics like OS or PFS, these studies explore its biochemical mechanisms that could influence cancer cell behavior and patient symptoms." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. |
| Common Side Effects | Generally well-tolerated; bioavailability issues are noted, but can be improved with piperine |
| OS without | Not specified |
| OS with | Not applicable; studies focus on cellular and symptom management rather than direct survival outcomes |
| PFS without | Not specified |
| PFS with | Not applicable; research has not extensively measured progression-free survival in cancer patients |
| Usefulness Rating | 3 |
| Usefulness Explanation | Curcumin has demonstrated potential in laboratory studies for its anti-cancer properties including inhibition of key signaling pathways, promotion of cancer cell apoptosis, and reduction of inflammation and angiogenesis. Its clinical utility in cancer care, particularly in glioblastoma, remains under investigation with early evidence suggesting benefits in symptom management and possibly enhancing the effects of conventional treatments.Property "Has Usefulness Explanation" (as page type) with input value "Curcumin has demonstrated potential in laboratory studies for its anti-cancer properties including inhibition of key signaling pathways, promotion of cancer cell apoptosis, and reduction of inflammation and angiogenesis. Its clinical utility in cancer care, particularly in glioblastoma, remains under investigation with early evidence suggesting benefits in symptom management and possibly enhancing the effects of conventional treatments." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. |
| Toxicity Level | 1 |
| Toxicity Explanation | Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects. As a dietary supplement, it has the lowest toxicity rating. This number (1) represents minimal toxicity. Remember, however, that while curcumin is showing some promising results in laboratory studies, it is not an FDA-approved cancer treatment and is currently under investigation. |
Notes: Curcumin, derived from turmeric, exhibits multiple anti-cancer properties in laboratory studies, including inhibition of tyrosine kinase signaling, angiogenesis, and promotion of apoptosis via NF-kB inhibition. Its bioavailability is limited but can be enhanced with piperine. Clinical evidence of its effectiveness includes reducing dermatitis in breast cancer radiotherapy and decreasing polyp size and number in colon conditions. While promising in laboratory settings for its anti-cancer potential, further research is required to fully understand its clinical efficacy and optimal use in cancer treatment.
Links: * [ClinicalTrials.gov study of Liposomal Curcumin in combination with RT and TMZ](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03552471)
- [Systematic review of clinical effects of curcumin in cancer therapy](https://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-019-5760-2)
- [Antitumor Activity of Curcumin in Glioblastoma](https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/24/9435)
- [Curcumin and Cancer (PDQ®) - NCI](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/curcumin-pdq)
From Ben Williams Book: Curcumin
This is an ingredient in the Indian cooking spice, turmeric. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells of various types in laboratory studies via numerous different mechanisms (272). Like genistein, it inhibits the tyrosine kinase signaling and also inhibits angiogenesis. Perhaps most importantly, it inhibits proteins that prevent damaged cells from undergoing apoptosis, a family of genes known as nuclear factor kappa B. Of all of the supplements on this list it is the most potent anti-cancer agent in laboratory studies. However, it also should be noted that its bioavailability from oral intake is limited, although bioavailability supposedly is increased when curcumin is combined with piperine (the main ingredient in black pepper). The Life Extension Foundation sells a version of curcumin that they claim has much greater bioavailability than anything else on the market. Despite the limited bioavailability, there is some evidence of clinical effectiveness. In a study of dermatitis induced by radiotherapy for breast cancer, a double-blind placebo controlled trial compared a placebo with curcumin (2 grams three times/day), both of which were taken throughout radiation treatment. Significantly less dermatitis occurred in patients receiving curcumin (273).
Curcumin has also been used in combination with a second supplement, quercetin, (see below) for the treatment of an inherited disorder of the colon in which hundreds of adenomas develop and eventually colon cancer (274). Five patients with the disorder received 480 mg of curcumin and 20 mg of Quercetin three times daily. Polyp number and size were assessed at baseline and then six months after starting the supplements. For all patients there was a decrease in polyp size and number, which was statistically significant.Property "Has original text" (as page type) with input value "Curcumin</br></br>This is an ingredient in the Indian cooking spice, turmeric. It has been shown to inhibit</br>the growth of cancer cells of various types in laboratory studies via numerous different</br>mechanisms (272). Like genistein, it inhibits the tyrosine kinase signaling and also</br>inhibits angiogenesis. Perhaps most importantly, it inhibits proteins that prevent</br>damaged cells from undergoing apoptosis, a family of genes known as nuclear factor</br>kappa B. Of all of the supplements on this list it is the most potent anti-cancer agent in</br>laboratory studies. However, it also should be noted that its bioavailability from oral</br>intake is limited, although bioavailability supposedly is increased when curcumin is</br>combined with piperine (the main ingredient in black pepper). The Life Extension</br>Foundation sells a version of curcumin that they claim has much greater bioavailability</br>than anything else on the market. Despite the limited bioavailability, there is some</br>evidence of clinical effectiveness. In a study of dermatitis induced by radiotherapy for</br>breast cancer, a double-blind placebo controlled trial compared a placebo with curcumin</br>(2 grams three times/day), both of which were taken throughout radiation treatment.</br>Significantly less dermatitis occurred in patients receiving curcumin (273).</br></br>Curcumin has also been used in combination with a second supplement, quercetin, (see</br>below) for the treatment of an inherited disorder of the colon in which hundreds of</br>adenomas develop and eventually colon cancer (274). Five patients with the disorder</br>received 480 mg of curcumin and 20 mg of Quercetin three times daily. Polyp number</br>and size were assessed at baseline and then six months after starting the supplements.</br>For all patients there was a decrease in polyp size and number, which was statistically</br>significant." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.
