Curcumin and Cancer

Modern inquiries have vouched for the utility of Curcumin in treating and preventing cancer. Various studies show that the incidence of cancer is actually lower in Indian nationals who include Turmeric, and hence Curcumin, in their daily diet, as compared to people in the West.

A 2003 study found that Curcumin protects against chemical carcinogenesis and shields against the induction of tumors in the various target organs. In cell culture and animal studies, Curcumin has been found to inhibit procarcinogen activation in the body. In the laboratory, it has demonstrated preventive effects for colon, skin and breast cancers.

How does it work?

Curcumin has not one, not two, but a dozen different ways of battling cancer. It is a non-toxic substance with anti-carcinogenic potential, and virtually no side effects. But what really sets Curcumin apart from other supplements is that it can actually block chemicals from entering the cells.

The idea to pit turmeric against cancer was born as scientists learnt of the role that inflammation plays in cancer. Curcumin's antioxidant properties help reduce swelling and inflammation. Studies show that not only does Curcumin slow the spread of cancer (metastasis) and inhibit angiogenesis (the growth of new tumor blood vessels); it also causes cancer cells to die. Its efficacy in fighting cancer stems from the induction of detoxifying enzymes.

Curcumin can suppress the initiation, promotion and spread of tumours. When angiogenesis is inhibited, the tumours are unable to nourish themselves and thus, unable to spread.

Curcumin is an effective kinase-inhibitor. It keeps the "grow" signals from reaching the cancerous cell. In cell culture studies, Curcumin has been found to inhibit the activity of several matrix metalloproteinases that help cancerous cells to invade normal tissue.

Defective regulation of the cell-cycle may often result in the propogation of mutations. This aids the spread of cancer. Curcumin stops the cell-cycle and kills the cancer cells (aptosis) by its inhibitory effects on several cell-signalling pathways.

There is reason to believe that Curcumin may aid chemotherapy too. In one study, the positive effects of the chemotherapy drug, paclitaxel, were enhanced and its side effects became less severe. What's more is that these effects have been seen in melanoma, lymphoma and other cancers as well.

Research is still in the preliminary stages and the effects of Curcumin treatment vary considerably. Results are dependent on the time of administration, the bioavailability of substance, the dose and the organ that cancer has chosen to target.

Lung cancer:

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in American men today and cigarettes take the lion's share of the blame for this. Nicotine is the chemical in cigarettes that is implicated in causing cancer. Experiments on Curcumin and Nicotine showed that Curcumin halved the effects of Nicotine as a carcinogen. Research shows that Curcumin may exhibit organ-specific effects to enhance the formation of reactive oxygen species in the damaged lungs of smokers and ex-smokers. Curcumin specifically showed significant potential in the reducing the chances of lung cancer and colon cancer. Consumption of Curcumin also keeps breast cancer from reaching the lungs.

Prostate cancer:

Prostate cancer, sadly, is becoming increasingly common in American men. But there is some good news: Curcumin appears to slow or prevent the growth of this form of cancer. In a study of prostate cancer cells, Curcumin inhibited cell growth which led the researchers to conclude that Curcumin may prove to be an important alternative to traditional prostate cancer treatment in men. It has been observed that Curcumin decelerates the rate of resistance of hormone-responsive prostate cancer cells to hormonal therapy.

Breast cancer:

Curcumin has shown much potential as a treatment for breast cancer. Chinese investigations on human breast carcinoma have revealed that Curcumin exerts multiple suppressive effects on the cancer cells. Several breast tumor cell lines, including hormone-dependent, hormone-independent and drug-resistant lines, respond to the anti-proliferative effects of Curcumin. Importantly, Curcumin can interfere with commonly found pesticides, like DDT and Dioxin, which mimic estrogen. Like estrogen, estrogen-mimicking chemicals promote the growth of breast cancer. Curcumin has the power to block the cells from estrogen mimickers. In a study on human breast cancer cells, Curcumin reversed growth caused by 17b-estradiol by 98%. DDT's growth-enhancing effects on breast cancer were blocked about 75% by Curcumin. Two other estrogen mimickers, chlordane and endosulfane were tested for their ability to enhance breast cancer. Curcumin can reverse the growth caused by these chemicals by about 90%. Adding genistein to the equation causes a complete growth arrest.

Colorectal cancer:

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of all cancer deaths in the Western world. Naturally occurring COX-2 inhibitors such as Curcumin have been proven to be effective chemopreventive agents against colon carcinogenesis with minimal gastrointestinal toxicity. The results of phase I clinical trials in colorectal cancer patients suggest that oral supplements of Curcumin can induce biologically active levels of Curcumin in the gastrointestinal tract. Such trials provide support for further clinical evaluation in people at risk for gastrointestinal cancers. Treatment with Curcumin is easy to administer and has negligible side effects.

Japanese researchers have hailed Curcumin as a wide-spectrum anticancer agent. Though a lot of the studies have been carried out on animals or in vitro, research on human subjects is underway and the results have been promising.