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From Spice to Survival: The Emerging Role of Curcumin in Cancer Immunotherapy
Jacob M Parker1, Lei Zhao2, Trenton G Mayberry3
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Des Moines University, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA.
Abstract:
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatments but still faces challenges, particularly with response rates plateauing around 20-40%. This is primarily due to the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the lack of required antigen availability. This emphasizes finding agents that can improve these response rates, and curcumin has emerged as a promising natural compound with the potential to reengineer the TME by establishing its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pro-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic effects. This review synthesizes the mechanisms by which curcumin affects major oncogenic pathways to synergize with immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapies, and cancer vaccinations. Finally, we discuss future directions, current clinical trials, and bioavailability issues with utilizing curcumin clinically.
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