Curcumin from Turmeric Stops the Spread of Myeloma Cancer

Researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric, can stop the spread of multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow.

In the study, published in the February 2003 issue of the journal Blood, the scientists investigated the way curcumin affected multiple myeloma cell lines. The spice-derived component stopped the activation of processes known to lead to the spread of the myeloma cells. Curcumin also triggered apoptosis – a process where cells program themselves to die – in the cancer cells.

Based on the results of their study, the researchers suggested that patients suffering from multiple myelomas be treated with this "pharmacologically safe agent."

Reference:

Bharti AC, Donato N, Singh S, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) down-regulates the constitutive activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and Ikappa Balpha kinase in human multiple myeloma cells, leading to suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Blood. 2003 Feb 1;101(3):1053-62.

Key concepts: curcumin, turmeric, myeloma, cancer