Turmeric and Cancer - Prevention and Treatment

Research has shown that curcumin can prevent the bacteria that causes stomach ulcer, Helicobacter pylori, from causing cancer. The bacteria increase the levels of cytokine that activates NF-kB. Curcumin blocks the process.

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Specific inhibition of COX-2 expression by dietary curcumin in human colon cancer cells - Department of Medicine, UC San Diego

Curcumin has been observed to be effective in preventing colon cancer in research performed with rodents. When researchers set up a study to analyze how curcumin operates, they found that it inhibits free radical damage of fats (such as those found in cell membranes and cholesterol), and prevents the formation of the inflammatory chemical cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The potential use of curcumin as chemo preventive agent against colorectal neoplasia is supported by animal studies and human observational data. Curcumin with quercetin were found to reduce both the size and number of precancerous lesions in the human intestinal tract and inhibit the development of colon cancer in such patients. Curcumin replaces nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen) that have been used to treat patients with this condition, but these drugs often produce side effects like gastrointestinal ulcerations and bleeding, whereas curcumin is a strong anti-inflammatory with no side effects. The regular use of Curcumall^® can play a protective role against the development of colorectal cancer.

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Combination Treatment With Curcumin of Adenomas - Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2006

Prostate cancer—the second leading cause of cancer death in American men with 500,000 new cases appearing each year—is a rare occurrence among men in India, whose low risk is attributed to a diet rich in brassica family vegetables and the curry spice, turmeric. Scientists tested turmeric, a source of the phytonutrient curcumin, along with phenethyl isothiocyanates, a phytochemical abundant in cruciferous vegetables including cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi and turnips. When tested separately, both phenethyl isothiocyanate and curcumin greatly retarded the growth of human prostate cancer cells implanted in mice. In mice with well-established prostate cancer tumors, the researchers found that the combination of curcumin with phenethyl isothiocyanate had a protective effect that significantly reduced both tumor growth and the ability of the prostate cancer cells to spread (metastasize).
The researchers believe the combination of cruciferous vegetables and curcumin could be an effective therapy not only to prevent prostate cancer, but to inhibit the spread of established prostate cancers.

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Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin in Human Prostate Cancer – The Prostate Vol. 47 Issue 4

Researchers have demonstrated that curcumin inhibited the growth and promoted cell death in three different melanoma cell lines. Curcumin suppressed the production of the proteins in the cancer cells that normally protect the cells from cell death. All doses tested decreased cancer cell growth and triggered cell death. Higher doses were more effective, and the higher the dose used, the more cancer cells died.

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Curcumin-induced Antiproliferative and Proapoptotic Effects in Melanoma Cells – Cancer Vol. 104 Issue 4

Curcumin triggered the death of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.  The studies have been performed in vitro on three cell lines as well as in vivo with squamous cell tumors in mice.  Curcumin was found to augment the effect of radiation by inhibiting the COX-2 expression and EGFR phosphorylation.  In a recent study curcumin was found to enhance the effect of Cisplatin in the suppression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

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Curcumin: a potential radio-enhancer in head and neck cancer – The Laryngoscope 2009

Curcumin Enhances Suppression of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma – Molecular Cancer Therapeutics

Researchers at the University of Texas demonstrated that curcumin can stop the spread of multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow.  Curcumin stopped the activation of processes known to lead to the spread of myeloma cells and triggered cell apoptosis, a process where cancer cells program themselves to die.

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Curcumin leads to suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human multiple myeloma cells – Journal of the American Society of Hematology

Curcumin circumvents chemoresistance in human multiple myeloma – Molecular Cancer Therapeutics

Curcumin has been shown to stop the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting the production of interlukin-8, a protein produced by white blood cells that contributes to tumor growth.

Researchees have shown that oral curcumin is well tolerated and has shown biological activity in patients with pancreatic cancer.

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Curcumin Down-Regulation is Associated with the Inhibition of Cell Growth and the Induction of Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells – American Cancer Society 2006

Phase II Trial of Curcumin in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer – American Association for Cancer Research

Curcumin has been found to suppress a cell signaling pathway that drives the growth of head and neck cancer. Curcumin has also shown to reduce the level of cancer enhancing cytokines in research perfomed with head and neck cancer.

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Inhibition and Reduction of Cancer Growth – Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center – UCLA