British scientists are studying cancer patients who take tablets containing curcumin – a compound found in curry – to see if the chemical’s disease-fighting properties can boost the healing properties of chemotherapy.
Scientists at the Cancer Research UK and National Institute for Health Research Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) in Leicester are investigating whether curcumin tablets are safe and effective when added to the standard treatment for patients with advanced bowel cancer that has spread.
The work builds on previous studies that have shown that curcumin can enhance the ability of chemotherapy to kill cancer cells in the lab.
"Once bowel cancer has spread it is very difficult to treat, partly because the side effects of chemotherapy can limit how long patients can have treatment. The prospect that curcumin might increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy is exciting because it could mean giving lower doses, so patients have fewer side effects and can keep having treatment for longer,” said lead researcher William Steward, with the University of Leicester. "Investigating the potential of plant chemicals to treat cancer is an intriguing area that we hope could provide clues to developing new drugs in the future."
Patients with advanced bowel cancer are usually given a treatment called FOLFOX, which combines three chemotherapy drugs. But around up to 60 percent of patients don't respond to the treatment. About 40 patients with bowel cancer that has spread to the liver will take part in the study to determine the potential benefits of curcumin.
The trial is being funded by Hope Against Cancer, The Royal College of Surgeons and the Bowel Disease Research Foundation.