Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings (Post-Meeting Edition).
Vol 24, No 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2006: 14151
© 2006 American Society of Clinical Oncology

This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Download to citation manager Rights & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dhillon, N. Articles by Kurzrock, R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Dhillon, N. Articles by Kurzrock, R.

Abstract

Phase II clinical trial of curcumin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX;

14151

Background: Pancreatic cancer is virtually always lethal, and the only FDA-approved therapies- gemcitabine and erlotinib- produce objective responses in less than 10% of patients. Curcumin (diferuloyl methane) is a plant- derived compound that inhibits the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) transcription factor (central to pancreatic cancer growth) and has substantial antitumor activity in preclinical models. We evaluated the toxicity and anti-tumor activity of curcumin, and its impact on survival and biologic correlates. Methods: Patients received 8 grams of curcumin (Sabinsa Corp.) by mouth daily for two months. Maintenance therapy was continued at the same dose and schedule until disease progression. Results: Seventeen patients were enrolled as of the date of analysis. Six were inevaluable: noncompliance (n = 1), never dosed (n = 1), noted to have gastric obstruction after one dose (n = 1), and too early (n = 3). Eleven patients were evaluable for response and 15 were evaluable for toxicity. To date, four patients have stable disease (2+, 2+, 3+ and 7 months) and one patient had a brief partial remission (73% reduction in tumor size by RECIST) that lasted one month. No toxicities have been observed. Serum was available for evaluation of pre-and post-dose cytokine levels in thirteen patients. Interestingly, the patient with the partial remission had marked increases (4–35 fold) in serum IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-8 levels. One to three other patients also had post-treatment increases in one or more of the above cytokines, albeit to a lesser extent (2–6 fold). Conclusions: We conclude that curcumin is well tolerated and our preliminary results suggest biologic activity in pancreatic cancer. Supported in part by the National Cancer Institute grant R21 CA 104337–01, The Topfer Fund for Pancreatic Cancer and Pancreatic SPORE grant 1 P20 CA10193–03.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.