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Curcumin and Cancer.
Antonio Giordano1, Giuseppina Tommonaro2
1Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center of Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, BioLife Science Bldg, Suite 431-1900 N 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA. giordano@temple.edu.
Nutrients
|October 9, 2019
Summary
Curcumin, a natural compound, shows anticancer potential by targeting key cell signaling pathways involved in cancer growth. Further research explores its use in cancer therapy, alone or with other treatments.
Area of Science:
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Curcumin, a polyphenol from Curcuma longa, possesses diverse biological activities.
- Its anticancer potential is a significant area of scientific investigation.
- Understanding curcumin's molecular targets is crucial for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cell signaling pathways implicated in cancer development and proliferation.
- To identify how curcumin modulates these cancer-related pathways.
- To assess curcumin's potential as an anticancer therapeutic agent.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on curcumin and cancer cell signaling.
- Analysis of curcumin's effects on growth factors, enzymes, and transcription factors.
- Examination of curcumin's impact on inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis-related proteins.
Main Results:
- Curcumin modulates key signaling molecules including growth factors, kinases, and transcription factors.
- It influences inflammatory cytokines and regulates proteins involved in apoptosis.
- Upregulation of proapoptotic proteins and downregulation of antiapoptotic proteins by curcumin were observed.
Conclusions:
- Curcumin targets multiple cell signaling pathways critical for cancer progression.
- This polyphenol demonstrates significant potential for cancer therapy.
- Curcumin, as a single agent or in combination, may offer an effective treatment strategy.
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