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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2014; 20(28): 9384-9391
Published online Jul 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i28.9384
Published online Jul 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i28.9384
Therapeutic applications of curcumin for patients with pancreatic cancer
Masashi Kanai, Department of Clinical Oncology and Pharmacogenomics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
Author contributions: Kanai M solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Masashi Kanai, MD, PhD, Department of Clinical Oncology and Pharmacogenomics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. kanai@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-75-7514770 Fax: +81-75-7514772
Received: October 27, 2013
Revised: January 10, 2014
Accepted: February 17, 2014
Published online: July 28, 2014
Revised: January 10, 2014
Accepted: February 17, 2014
Published online: July 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: A growing body of evidence supports the idea that curcumin is a promising anticancer drug. Curcumin has anticancer effects, both alone and in combination with other anticancer drugs, through the modulation of a variety of molecular targets in preclinical models. However, the poor bioavailability of curcumin has been the major challenge to its clinical application. This problem has been overcome by the development of highly bioavailable forms of curcumin (THERACURMIN®), and higher plasma curcumin levels can now be achieved without increased toxicity. Further clinical trials will be necessary to test the therapeutic applications of this promising agent in patients with pancreatic cancer.