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ABSTRACT: Background
In vivo studies demonstrate that curcumin increases radioresponse of colorectal cancers. To demonstrate efficacy in humans, we performed a randomized double-blind study of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients receiving pre-operative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) ± curcumin. We used pathologic complete response (pCR) rate as a surrogate for clinical outcome.Methods
From 2008-2010, LARC patients were randomized to placebo/curcumin in a 1:2 ratio. Patients received CRT [50.4 gray in 28 fractions; capecitabine (825 mg/m2 twice daily)] followed by surgery. Curcumin (4 grams orally, twice daily) or placebo was given throughout CRT and 6 weeks afterward. Toxicity was monitored weekly. Blood samples taken pre- and 1-hour post-ingestion and tissue biopsies (both collected at CRT week 2) were analyzed for pharmacokinetics. The primary outcome was surgical pCR rate.Results
Of 22 enrolled patients, 15 received curcumin. Median age was 61 years and the majority were male (n=13; 59%). The median serum curcumin concentrations before (3.04 ng/mL; range, 1.24-18.88 ng/mL) and 1 hour after (3.32 ng/mL; range, 0.84-5.36 ng/mL) curcumin intake did not differ significantly (P=0.33). Serum curcumin concentrations both increased and decreased 1-hour post-administration (range as percentage of baseline: 8.8-258.1%). Twelve curcumin patient tissue biopsies had median curcumin concentration of 33.7 ng/mg tissue (range, 0.1-4,765.7 ng/mg). Two placebo and 1 curcumin patient achieved pCRs (P=0.18). One grade 3 toxicity (infection) was experienced.Conclusions
The addition of curcumin to CRT did not increase pCR rates for LARC patients. The unpredictable bioavailability of curcumin contributes to continued uncertainties regarding curcumin efficacy.Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00745134.
SUBMITTER: Gunther JR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9830363 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Gunther Jillian R JR Chadha Awalpreet S AS Guha Sushovan S Raju Gottumukkala S GS Maru Dipen M DM Munsell Mark F MF Jiang Yan Y Yang Peiying P Felix Edd E Clemons Marilyn M Mathew Geena George GG Singh Pankaj K PK Skibber John M JM Rodriguez-Bigas Miguel A MA Chang George J GJ Eng Cathy C Delclos Marc E ME Crane Christopher H CH Das Prajnan P Krishnan Sunil S
Journal of gastrointestinal oncology 20221201 6
<h4>Background</h4><i>In vivo</i> studies demonstrate that curcumin increases radioresponse of colorectal cancers. To demonstrate efficacy in humans, we performed a randomized double-blind study of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients receiving pre-operative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) ± curcumin. We used pathologic complete response (pCR) rate as a surrogate for clinical outcome.<h4>Methods</h4>From 2008-2010, LARC patients were randomized to placebo/curcumin in a 1:2 ratio. Patients ...[more]