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Anticancer Mechanism of Curcumin on Human Glioblastoma
Shu Chyi Wong1, Muhamad Noor Alfarizal Kamarudin2, Rakesh Naidu1
1Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor and accounts for most adult brain tumors. Current available treatment options for GBM are multimodal, which include surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Despite the significant advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, GBM remains largely resistant to treatment, with a poor median survival rate between 12 and 18 months. With increasing drug resistance, the introduction of phytochemicals into current GBM treatment has become a potential strategy to combat GBM. Phytochemicals possess multifarious bioactivities with multitarget sites and comparatively marginal toxicity. Among them, curcumin is the most studied compound described as a potential anticancer agent due to its multi-targeted signaling/molecular pathways properties. Curcumin possesses the ability to modulate the core pathways involved in GBM cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, paraptosis, oxidative stress, and tumor cell motility. This review discusses curcumin's anticancer mechanism through modulation of Rb, p53, MAPK, P13K/Akt, JAK/STAT, Shh, and NF-κB pathways, which are commonly involved and dysregulated in preclinical and clinical GBM models. In addition, limitation issues such as bioavailability, pharmacokinetics perspectives strategies, and clinical trials were discussed.
Insights
Curcumin, a phytochemical, shows promise in treating glioblastoma (GBM) by targeting multiple cancer pathways. Further research into its bioavailability and clinical trials is needed for effective GBM treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options and poor survival rates.
- Current GBM treatments (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) face challenges due to drug resistance.
- Phytochemicals offer a potential strategy against GBM due to their diverse bioactivities and low toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anticancer mechanisms of curcumin in glioblastoma.
- To explore curcumin's modulation of key signaling pathways implicated in GBM.
- To discuss challenges and future directions for curcumin in GBM therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on curcumin and GBM.
- Analysis of curcumin's effects on GBM cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and motility.
- Examination of curcumin's impact on signaling pathways like Rb, p53, MAPK, P13K/Akt, JAK/STAT, Shh, and NF-κB.
Main Results:
- Curcumin demonstrates multi-targeted anticancer properties against GBM.
- It modulates critical pathways involved in GBM pathogenesis, including cell growth and survival.
- Curcumin exhibits potential in overcoming drug resistance in GBM models.
Conclusions:
- Curcumin presents a promising therapeutic candidate for glioblastoma treatment.
- Addressing bioavailability and pharmacokinetic limitations is crucial for clinical application.
- Further clinical trials are warranted to establish curcumin's efficacy and safety in GBM patients.
