A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TURMERIC IN THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER
Authors: Asalya Farid 
Published: October 2024

Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, necessitating the exploration of innovative therapeutic strategies. Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from turmeric, has garnered considerable attention due to its diverse pharmacological properties, including anticancer effects. However, the clinical translation of curcumin is hampered by its poor bioavailability. Nanoformulations of curcumin, particularly Cur-NPs, offer a promising solution to this challenge by enhancing drug solubility, stability, and targeted delivery. This in-depth abstract delves into the potential of Cur-NPs as a therapeutic approach for breast cancer treatment. The systematic review included in vivo studies investigating the efficacy and toxicity of Cur-NPs in breast cancer models. Notably, Cur-NPs demonstrated significant antitumoral activity across diverse breast cancer models, attributed to mechanisms such as apoptosis induction, inhibition of proliferation, and suppression of angiogenesis. Moreover, Cur-NPs exhibited minimal toxicity, with no or low adverse effects observed in terms of body weight, organ histopathology, and hematological/biochemical parameters. Characterization of Cur-NPs revealed a diverse array of nanoparticle types, including polymer NPs, micelles, lipid-based NPs, and metal NPs. Poly(ethylene glycol) chains were commonly incorporated into NP compositions, enhancing their biocompatibility and circulation time. Targeting moieties such as folic acid and hyaluronic acid further augmented the specificity of drug delivery to breast cancer cells. Experimental design varied among studies, encompassing different animal models, routes of administration, and treatment durations. Intravenous administration emerged as the predominant route, although alternative routes such as intraperitoneal and intratumoral administration were also explored. The onset of treatment protocols varied based on days after tumour induction or tumour volume, with curcumin doses ranging from 2 to 100 mg/kg and administered with varying frequencies. In conclusion, Cur-NPs represent a promising therapeutic approach for breast cancer treatment, offering enhanced efficacy and safety profiles compared to free curcumin. Further research is warranted to optimize Cur-NP formulations and elucidate their clinical potential in breast cancer patients. The review also identified a diverse array of nanoparticle formulations employed in breast cancer therapy, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, and dendrimers. These nanoparticles were engineered to encapsulate various anticancer drugs, including chemotherapeutic agents, molecularly targeted therapies, and immunomodulators, with the aim of enhancing their efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity. Targeted drug delivery strategies were employed to selectively deliver therapeutic agents to tumour cells while sparing healthy tissues, thereby minimizing off-target effects and improving treatment outcomes. Preclinical studies provided compelling evidence of the efficacy of nanoparticle-based therapies in inhibiting tumour growth, suppressing metastasis, and overcoming drug resistance in breast cancer models. Nanoparticles demonstrated superior pharmacokinetic properties, enhanced bioavailability, and controlled drug release kinetics, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy compared to conventional formulations. Furthermore, nanoparticle-based therapies exhibited synergistic effects when combined with traditional chemotherapy agents, leading to enhanced antitumor activity and reduced treatment resistance. Clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of nanoparticle-based therapies in breast cancer patients demonstrated promising results, with favourable tolerability profiles and encouraging preliminary efficacy outcomes. However, challenges remain in translating preclinical findings into clinical practice, including issues related to scalability, manufacturing, and regulatory approval. Additionally, further research is needed to optimize nanoparticle formulations, tailor treatment strategies to individual patient profiles, and elucidate long-term safety and efficacy outcomes.