Targeting cancer stem cells by curcumin and clinical applications

Curcumin is a well-known dietary polyphenol derived from the rhizomes of turmeric, an Indian spice. The anticancer effect of curcumin has been demonstrated in many cell and animal studies, and recent research has shown that curcumin can target cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are proposed to be respon...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cancer letters Vol. 346; no. 2; pp. 197 - 205
Main Authors: Li, Yanyan, Zhang, Tao
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.05.2014
Elsevier Limited
Subjects:
Animals
Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology
Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use
Cancer
Cancer stem cells
Cancer therapies
Chemotherapy
Clinical study
Colon
Colorectal cancer
Curcumin
Curcumin - pharmacology
Curcumin - therapeutic use
Drug dosages
Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine
Human subjects
Humans
Ligands
Nanoparticles
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Neoplasms - pathology
Neoplastic Stem Cells - drug effects
Pancreatic cancer
Patients
Proteins
Studies
Toxicity
Transcription factors
Tumors
Curcumin
Cancer stem cells
Cancer
Clinical study
ISSN:0304-3835, 1872-7980, 1872-7980
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Curcumin is a well-known dietary polyphenol derived from the rhizomes of turmeric, an Indian spice. The anticancer effect of curcumin has been demonstrated in many cell and animal studies, and recent research has shown that curcumin can target cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are proposed to be responsible for initiating and maintaining cancer, and contribute to recurrence and drug resistance. A number of studies have suggested that curcumin has the potential to target CSCs through regulation of CSC self-renewal pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, sonic hedgehog) and specific microRNAs involved in acquisition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). The potential impact of curcumin, alone or in combination with other anticancer agents, on CSCs was evaluated as well. Furthermore, the safety and tolerability of curcumin have been well-established by numerous clinical studies. Importantly, the low bioavailability of curcumin has been dramatically improved through the use of structural analogues or special formulations. More clinical trials are underway to investigate the efficacy of this promising agent in cancer chemoprevention and therapy. In this article, we review the effects of curcumin on CSC self-renewal pathways and specific microRNAs, as well as its safety and efficacy in recent human studies. In conclusion, curcumin could be a very promising adjunct to traditional cancer treatments.
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ISSN:0304-3835
1872-7980
1872-7980
DOI:10.1016/j.canlet.2014.01.012