Curcumin supplementation in the treatment of patients with cancer: a systematic review

Feeding with high levels of phytochemicals, including curcumin, may be a therapeutic option for diseases such as cancer which is a public health problem. The aim of this study was to systematically review the results of clinical trials investigating the effect of oral curcumin supplementation on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profiles, reduction of PSA levels and degree of dermatitis in radiotherapy treatment in cancer patients. The review was carried out based on the items of the PRISMA Statement. A bias risk assessment was performed according to Cochrane Collaboration criteria. Six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. The results of this study are based on those obtained in the literature on the effect of curcumin on the anti-inflammatory profile, on reducing dermatitis, on PSA alteration and on anti-oxidant profile for a total of 450 individuals, comprising 259 in the intervention group and 191 in the control group. Some studies have reported improvement in biochemical and clinical indicators, with limited adverse effects and good tolerance. It was not possible to determine, with the desired degree of evidence, the effect of curcumin supplementation in the treatment of cancer patients. It is important to consider the great heterogeneity and methodological weaknesses of the studies, and that it was not possible to perform a meta-analysis of the data available in the literature.

摄入高剂量包含姜黄素（curcumin）在内的植物化学物，或可作为癌症这类公共卫生问题相关疾病的治疗选择之一。本研究旨在系统综述各项临床试验的结果，这些试验探究了口服姜黄素补充剂对癌症患者放疗期间抗炎与抗氧化指标、前列腺特异性抗原（Prostate-Specific Antigen, PSA）水平降低程度以及皮炎严重程度的影响。本次综述严格遵循PRISMA声明（PRISMA Statement）的条目规范开展，并依据Cochrane协作网（Cochrane Collaboration）的标准完成偏倚风险评估。最终共有6项符合纳入标准的研究被纳入本次系统综述。本研究的分析数据来自已发表文献中关于姜黄素对抗炎指标、皮炎缓解、PSA水平变化及抗氧化指标的影响相关研究，共纳入450名受试者，其中干预组259人，对照组191人。部分研究报告显示受试者的生化与临床指标得到改善，且不良事件发生率较低、耐受性良好。但受限于预期的证据强度，无法明确姜黄素补充剂在癌症患者治疗中的应用效果。需注意的是，纳入研究存在显著异质性与方法学缺陷，且无法对现有文献数据开展荟萃分析。