Curcumin (Curcuma, Turmeric) And Cancer (PDQ®): Integrative, Alternative, And Complementary Therapies - Health Professional Information [NCI]

Overview

This cancer information summary provides an overview of the use of curcumin as a treatment for people with cancer.

This summary contains the following key information:

• Curcumin (diarylheptanoid) is one member of a group of natural compounds called curcuminoids, derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, an East Indian plant, contained in an extract commonly called turmeric.
• Turmeric has a long history of therapeutic application in traditional Asian medicine.
• Extensive research over the past two decades suggests that curcuminoids, the active ingredient in turmeric (C. longa), interfere with multiple cell signaling pathways, providing support for the potential role of curcumin in modulating cancer development and progression.
• With varying formulations and doses tested in phase I clinical trials, there is evidence of bioavailability of curcumin and curcumin conjugates in plasma, urine, and tissue.
• Results from early-phase trials of curcumin-containing products in the chemoprevention of colon, oral, and hepatic carcinoma appear promising. However, the findings from these early trials have to be confirmed in well-powered trials evaluating safety and effectiveness as indicated by modulation of clinical outcomes.
• Data from early-phase trials of the safety and effectiveness of curcumin-containing products in cancer treatment are at most from pilot trials that targeted various stages of cancer and cancer patient populations, and utilized different formulations and doses of curcumin and durations of intervention. Thus, the evidence is currently inadequate to recommend curcumin-containing products for the treatment of cancer.
• Data from early-phase trials of the safety and effectiveness of curcumin-containing products as adjuncts to traditional cancer therapies are from pilot trials that had small sample sizes, targeted various stages of cancer and cancer patient populations, and utilized different formulations and doses of curcumin and durations of intervention. Thus, the evidence is currently inadequate to recommend curcumin-containing products to be used as adjuncts for the treatment of cancer.
• Data from early-phase trials on the use of curcumin formulations to ameliorate cancer treatment–related effects have demonstrated (a) improved oxidative status in patients who received chemotherapy and radiation therapy, (b) delayed onset and severity of mucositis, (c) reduced severity of radiation dermatitis and (d) improved quality of life, without adverse effects with curcumin-containing products at these doses. However, these studies were short in duration and used varying doses and formulations of curcumin. Thus, these results should be interpreted with caution. The findings from these early trials have to be confirmed in well-powered trials evaluating safety or effectiveness.