Having Radiation Therapy? Try Tumeric
 

Curcumin: A treatment for breast cancer and radiation-induced dermatitis

Julie Ryan, Cody Spencer, Laura Marsh, Amit Deorurkhkar, Sunil Krishnan, Paul Okunieff, Gary Morrow and Alice Pentland University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Unfortunately, common treatment modalities for breast cancer, such as ionizing radiation, damage normal cells and tissues. Radiation-induced skin reactions occur in approximately 90% of patients. Currently, there is no standard treatment for the prevention of radiation-induced skin reactions with demonstrative effectiveness. Curcumin, a major component of turmeric and curry powders, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant with radioprotective and radiosensitizing properties. Since tumors, unlike normal tissues, thrive on inflammation and high levels of growth and angiogenic factors, curcumin could successfully reduce inflammation and breast tumor growth without adversely affecting normal tissues. In this study, we examined the ability of curcumin to act as a radioprotector of skin and as radiosensitizer in human breast cancer cells. SKH-1 hairless mice were intragastrically administered curcumin (200mg/kg) or placebo (corn oil) before or after irradiation with 30 Gy to the left hind leg. After 14 days of observation, radiation-induced dermatitis was observed in all SKH-1 hairless mice, except those administered curcumin post-radiation. In vivo studies were performed in C3H mice to determine if curcumin altered growth of murine mammary tumors. Intragastric and intraperitonal administration of curcumin reduced Mca4 and Mca35 mammary tumor growth by 50% in C3H mice. Five human breast cancer cells lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, MDA-MB-453, BT-20, SK-BR-3) and immortalized human mammary cell line MCF-12A were treated with 2µM or 5µM curcumin in the presence and absence of radiation (2 Gy or 4 Gy). Clonogenic survival assays demonstrated that curcumin combined with radiation inhibited survival of the five breast cancer cell lines. These results were confirmed by flow cytometry using the Live/Dead assay. Additionally, curcumin combined with radiation reduced invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 and BT-20 cells. We conclude that curcumin effectively protected skin from radiation damage, but sensitized breast cancer cells to radiation. Overall, curcumin is a promising therapeutic agent for treatment of breast cancer and radiation-induced dermatitis. Future in vivo studies must be performed to determine if curcumin can simultaneously treat dermatitis and breast cancer in combination with radiation therapy.

Re: Having Radiation Therapy? Try Tumeric
 

Interesting. I started taking curcumin around chemo #3. I held it for 3 days before after chemo infusions on the advice of my onc but have been taking it daily since chemo ended. I took it all thru rad treatments and my skin did amazingly well...considering that pulling a bandaid off me also pulls off the top layer of skin I was shocked at how well my skin held up with rads.
I used calendulla (sp?) cream a couple of times a day, eucerin cream at night and betamethazone cream on a few itchy areas. I never rubbed in the creams, just put on a thick layer and ruined all my summer tank tops that I wore under my clothes.
If you saw my skin now you wouldn't know that just a few months ago I had radiation treatments. My plastic surgeon was very impressed with how well my skin did and altho he originally said I would have to wait "at least 6 months" before I could have my expanders out and my implants in, he has changed his mind and I will be having that surgery May 8. That's just 3 months and 2 weeks since end of rads. He would have done it mid April but I said no because I am doing a mud run on May 4 and didn't want to cancel that....priorities... :)

Re: Having Radiation Therapy? Try Tumeric
 

Wow Leah, you are doing a mud run? That just totally rocks. My friend just did a 3.2 mile run in 33 minutes. I figured out those are 6 minute miles. Crazy good. I personally am struggling to get to 4mph on the treadmill, lol.

I think you are onto something with the different creams, and the curcumin. Sounds miraculous, like how aloe vera works with burns.

I think your priorities are great. I've seen alot of information on exercise and reduction of cancer recurrence. I think that is so awesome about the mud run. And you will be in great shape for your surgery.

Re: Having Radiation Therapy? Try Tumeric
 

checking in 'lizabeth...the mud run was A-MAZE-ING!! I had a ton of fun and still have mud under my toenails!! My surgery went well too...the new girls are...well...round...and way bigger then my original God given breasts...
As a side benefit my PS did a bit of abdominal lipo and moved that fat up. In the end my abd. hurt way more then my chest. Can't decide what to do (or not do) about nipples but I can tell you this...noone is touching me till the fall.
Best,
Leah

Re: Having Radiation Therapy? Try Tumeric
 

wow Leah,

I am so envious that you have had your reconstruction and that the PS used abdominal fat to enhance the girls.

I can't believe you did a mud run, what a stud muffin!

Re: Having Radiation Therapy? Try Tumeric
 

'lizbeth I should come clean here...yes...I did a 5k mud run...but is was a FUN mud run, not a HARD mud run...
www.godirtygirl.com
And...had I known how much the lipo would have hurt I wouldn't have agreed to it. I had some pocketing and rippling of the skin with the expanders and my PS told me that that would most likely happen with the implants too. To avoid a second OR visit I agreed to the lipo if he felt it would be needed during the surgery on May 8. But ouch ouch ouch...today is the first day since the surgery that I am not wearing elastic waisted pants and I don't really know if I will get thru the day without changing!

Re: Having Radiation Therapy? Try Tumeric
 

Oh still that looks tough, lol. I just came back from a 6 mile hike. I am soooo fat and the weight is going the wrong way on the scale. Pffft, not happy about that.

Well, I'm sorry about the pain. I hope that the girls turn out to be just adorable and worth the discomfort in the end.

:)