Written by Patrick Massey M.D., Ph.D. Curcumin contains compounds that have potent anti-inflammatory properties as well as anti-cancer potential.
Is it possible that the first natural anti-cancer therapy may be curcumin, a spice from India? I have predicted for many years that the care cancer would not come from a drug, but would be found in nature. We may be one step closer to realizing a natural and safe cure for cancer.
A recent clinical trial done at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston has shown that, in some patients, curcumin may actually inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. In my opinion, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is the premier cancer center in the country. Not only is it a leader in traditional cancer treatment, but it is internationally recognized for its use of nontraditional medicine for cancer, especially dietary supplements.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Unfortunately, it is usually diagnosed in a very late stage and even the newest chemotherapies are effective in only about 10 percent of cases.
Curcumin comes from the spice turmeric. It contains a number of compounds that have potent anti-inflammatory properties as well as anti-cancer potential. In the test tube, as well as in laboratory mice, curcumin has been shown to slow or even kill tumor cells. There are anecdotal reports of curcumin used as a chemotherapeutic agent; however, good research studies in this area have been lacking.
In a recent study published in Clinical Cancer Research, the M.D. Anderson researchers demonstrated that high-dose curcumin had significant benefit for some people with advanced pancreatic cancer. For the study, 21 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were enrolled. The patients received large doses of curcumin – 8 g per day – and were followed for at least three months and, in one case, more than a year.
Pancreatic cancer cells make a tumor growth factor, NF-kB, that helps stimulate all aspects of tumor cell growth and metastasis. It is believed that curcumin suppresses this tumor growth factor and, as a result, can inhibit the growth and spread of pancreatic cancer cells. Although the results in this study were not universally positive, one patient had almost a 75 percent reduction in the original tumor within the three-month period. Another patient had a slower but steady decline in tumor mass over one year. There were no significant toxicities and side effects were limited to stomach upset.
One of the drawbacks to curcumin is that it is poorly absorbed even at high doses. In addition, at high doses, it can cause stomach discomfort.
One area being researched at M.D. Anderson is how to give curcumin intravenously. In that way, much higher blood levels can be achieved without side effects. This research is under way and probably less than a year away from clinical trials.
Posted November 19, 2008.
