Curcumin as a Treatment for Mesothelioma

by | Apr 29, 2016 | 2011, Curcumin, Lung Health, Mesothelioma

Written by Joyce Smith, BS. Curcumin inhibits the growth of both human and mouse malignant pleural mesothelioma cells and enhances the effectiveness of cisplatin when used in combination with it.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare but aggressive asbestos-related malignancy of the mesothelial cells that line the thoracic cavity, peritoneum, or pericardium. (1, 2) Even with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, this is a difficult to treat and virulent cancer which has a median survival (following diagnosis) of between 8 – 18 months. (3-5)

Curcumin has been studied extensively for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-arthritic, anti-amyloid, and anti-ischemic properties. (6-8) Current clinical trials have demonstrated curcumin’s ability to arrest cell cycles and promote cell death or apoptosis in a variety of different cancers including multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, myelodisplastic syndromes, and colon cancer. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloid or anti-plaque forming properties have been promising in the treatment of psoriasis, and Alzheimer’s disease. (9) While studies have demonstrated curcumin’s anti-tumor effects, the biological mechanisms involved have not been clarified.

This study, consisting of both in vitro and in vivo protocols, demonstrates the effectiveness of curcumin on human and mouse malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cells and attempts to explain the molecular mechanisms involved. (10)

The in vitro study investigates the effects of curcumin on the growth of MPM cells in vitro. MPM cells were left untreated, or treated with varying concentrations of curcumin, cisplatin, or a combination of both. At 24, 48, and 72 hours post treatment, the percentage of viable cells at the various concentrations was evaluated.

  • Results demonstrated that mouse MPM cell growth was inhibited with increasing concentrations of curcumin (P value ranging from non-significant to <0.002 , to 0.0009 compared to control) (Figure 1)
  • Human MPM tumor cell growth also significantly decreased when sufficient concentrations of curcumin were achieved (P value ranging from<0.01 and 0.006, as compared to control).
  • When MPM cells were pretreated with curcumin, the ability of cisplatin to inhibit tumor growth was also significantly increased for some but not all tumor cell types was also concentration-dependent(P =<0.03 for low and <0.002 for higher concentration of curcumin)

The in vivo portion of this study involved injecting mice with MPM cells. When tumors were palpable, the test group mice (n=6) were fed 500 mg/kg curcumin daily while the control mice were treated with DMSO. Tumors were examined after 16 days of treatment.

At the end of the study, tumors were visibly smaller, and tumor weight and volume were substantially lower in the curcumin treated group compared to control. While statistical analysis was not conducted (probably due to small number of animals), the difference between the groups was undeniable.

The results of this study show that curcumin inhibited MPM growth and stimulated tumor cell die-off in a dose-dependent manner. Gene analyses revealed that curcumin enhanced cell-death signaling and increased the activity of tumor suppressor proteins.

The researchers believe this study underscores the potential of curcumin as a future anti-cancer and perhaps even a chemo-preventive agent for MPM and other cancers.

Source: Wang, Ying, et al. “Curcumin suppresses growth of mesothelioma cells in vitro and in vivo, in part, by stimulating apoptosis.” Molecular and cellular biochemistry 357.1-2 (2011): 83.

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2011

Posted June 9, 2015.

*Prescription drugs can save lives but may also cause unwanted side effects. Thus not all drugs are considered safe. Consult with your medical healthcare provider for more information on a specific drug of interest.

References:

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  10. Wang Y, Rishi AK, Wu W, Polin L, Sharma S, Levi E, Pass Hl, Wali A. Mol Cell Biochem. 2011 Nov;357(1-2):83-94. [PubMed: 21594647]