In May 2011, a new study showed that a chemical compound derived from curcumin was beneficial in treating cancers of the head and neck. Curcumin is an active component in the curry spice known as turmeric. But do reports such as "Curcumin compound improves effectiveness of head and neck cancer treatment" suggest that eating curry would prevent cancer?
A Recent Cancer Study Involving Curcumin
That research, performed at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, tested a compound derived from curcumin, named FLLL32. It was used in conjunction with the standard anti-cancer drug cisplatin. Apparently this was an in vitro experiment on specific types of cancer cells, those involved in human cancer of the neck and head.
What is Cisplatin?
According to "Cisplatin", this compound of platinum was discovered or developed in the middle 1800s by Michel Peyrone. It was known as "Peyrone's chloride" until the 1960s when scientists began to explore its biological properties. Cancer trials for cisplatin went well in the 1970s. It has been used in chemotherapy ever since, targeting a variety of types of cancer.
Cisplatin binds and damages a cell's DNA, leading to "apoptosis" or programmed cell death. A protein called "STAT3" inhibits this process. It happens that neck and head cancer cells tend to have high levels of STAT3. Therefore, high doses of cisplatin may be required.
As well, a person's cancer cells may eventually become resistant to cisplatin, so even higher doses are required. However, cisplatin is toxic to all cells at high concentrations. The combination of limited maximum dosage and increased drug resistance by head and neck cancer cells has kept the five-year survival rate for these specific cancer patients from improving over the past thirty years.
Cisplatin has one advantage over some newer anti-cancer drugs in its class: it is old enough to be "off-patent". Now that any major drug company could manufacture and sell it as a generic medication, it should sell for a lower cost than its competitive chemotherapy drugs.
How Curcumin's FLLL32 may Augment Cisplatin Cancer Treatment
In the Michigan study, adding FLLL32 to specific cancer cell lines allowed a one-quarter dose of cisplatin to be as effective as cisplatin without the FLLL32. The hope is that this will reduce the toxicity of cisplatin treatment in future clinical trials.
The researchers found that FLLL32 inhibited the STAT3 protein. This made the cisplatin more effective in killing the cancer cells.
Current Known Limitations in the Research
Medical Xpress reported that other studies cast doubt on how well FLLL32 would be absorbed by humans. Therefore more research is required to find an equally effective compound that can be utilized in vivo.
One might also be concerned that clinical trials might find that FLLL32 would increase the toxicity of cisplatin in all cells, rather than solely targeting the cancer cells. That could potentially bring the treatment options back to its original dilemma: an effective dosage may be to toxic for the patient.
General Health Benefits or Concerns for Turmeric
The Medline Plus article, "Turmeric" states that eating some turmeric might help settle an upset stomach. It says there is not enough evidence for any other health claims; one such claim is reducing the itch of skin cancer by applying a turmeric ointment. Again, for this and other conditions, there is simply not enough evidence.
This article also states that turmeric may be unsafe in "medicinal" amounts during pregnancy or when lactating. Turmeric might make a gallbladder or bile duct problem worse. Since it seems to slow blood clotting, it is counter-indicated for surgical patients or people taking "blood thinning" medications or herbs including ibuprofin or warfarin.
Update: Curcumin versus Certain Cancers
(Updated Sept. 14, 2011) A new report claims that a large daily curcumin supplement dosage of 1,000 milligrams inhibits specific enzymes that promote certain head and neck cancers. The report warns that simply eating turmeric as a spice does not provide nearly enough curcumin. The test dose is one gram per day: enough to turn teeth yellow.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources:
- Medical Xpress, "Curcumin compound improves effectiveness of head and neck cancer treatment", published May 19, 2011, referenced May 21, 2011.
- Emily G. Jones (site contact person), "Cisplatin", referenced May 21, 2011.
- Medline Plus, "Turmeric", updated April 18, 2011, referenced May 21, 2011.
- (Updated Sept. 14, 2011) Medical Xpress, "Primary component in turmeric kicks off cancer-killing mechanisms in human saliva", published Sept. 13, 2011, referenced Sept. 14, 2011.
Mike DeHaan - Copyright (c) Mike DeHaan, B. Math., of DeHaan Services. Well written and well researched freelance articles; ghost writing for clients.
