Colorectal Cancer: Curcumin May Make Chemotherapy More Effective

Colon Cancer: Does Curcumin Make Chemotherapy More Effective?

Curcumin, a biologically active component extracted from turmeric, appears capable of altering the microenvironment surrounding colorectal cancer cells, enhancing the effects of chemotherapy and reducing factors that promote tumor development.

The discovery, published in the journal PLoS ONE, was conducted by researchers at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich (Germany).

Turmeric, a potential anti-cancer agent

Colorectal cancer is the third most common tumor worldwide and is characterized by a high rate of metastasis and recurrence. Moreover, over 15% of patients develop resistance to conventional chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil. Scientific evidence suggests that the development and progression of colorectal cancer is due to genetic alterations and complex interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment as well as neighboring cells. Nutraceuticals are ideal candidates to modulate the tumor microenvironment and support chemotherapy. 

Among these is curcumin, a derivative of the plant curcuma longa, a polyphenolic substance with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that may modulate important molecular targets involved in cancer development. The use of this ingredient has increased in recent years, also thanks to supplements on the market such as Omegor Antiage.

Curcumin influences tumor invasion 

During the study, Dr. Buhrmann, who led the experiments, and her collaborators cultured human colon tumor cells with stromal fibroblast cells (cells of the connective tissue that supports organs) for three days, at the end of which they observed tumor clusters around the stromal cells. 

This cellular interaction was also associated with an increase in molecules that promote cell proliferation, metastasis formation, and cell adhesion. The team then studied a microenvironment in which colon cancer cells and stromal cells were treated with different concentrations of curcumin. Some of these cell cultures were also treated with the chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. 

Analyses showed that pretreatment with curcumin reduced the presence of tumor-promoting factors, whereas cultures treated with chemotherapy alone had increased concentrations, likely as a defense reaction of the microenvironment and tumor cells. Treatment with both molecules also promoted the disintegration of cancer “spheres,” with a greater effect in cultures treated with curcumin.

New therapeutic strategies on the horizon

In conclusion, administration of curcumin, with or without chemotherapy, inhibits the expression of molecules indicative of cancer cell presence. This result, according to the authors, demonstrates for the first time the effect of this molecule on tumor cells, fibroblasts, and the microenvironment, thus creating an environment that enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents. 

Curcumin is therefore a natural modulator of cancer progression and could become a therapeutic strategy to prevent chemotherapy resistance and inhibit metastasis formation. To stay updated on the latest scientific research on Omega 3, subscribe to our newsletter.

Source: Constanze Buhrmann, Patricia Kraehe, Cora Lueders Parviz Shayan, Ajay Goel , Mehdi Shakibaei. “Curcumin Suppresses Crosstalk between Colon Cancer Stem Cells and Stromal Fibroblasts in the Tumor Microenvironment: Potential Role of EMT” PLOsOne DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107514