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Curcumin: A potential radio‐enhancer in head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Khafif Avi,
LevAri Shahar,
Vexler Akiva,
Barnea Itai,
Starr Alex,
Karaush Vicki,
Haif Sasha,
BenYosef Rami
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.20582
Subject(s) - curcumin , medicine , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , viability assay , in vivo , cancer research , cell culture , western blot , cell , cancer , head and neck cancer , pathology , pharmacology , biology , biochemistry , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , gene
Objectives/Hypothesis: To investigate whether curcumin enhances the cytotoxic effect of radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: HNSCC cell lines SCC‐1, SCC‐9, KB, as well as A431 cell line were treated with curcumin, irradiation, or their combination. Cell viability was evaluated by XTT assay. Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), and p‐Erk1/2 were measured by Western blot analysis. CD‐1 athymic nude mice with orthotopic implanted SCC‐1 cells, were treated with control diet, curcumin containing diet, local single‐dose radiation, or combination. Results: Curcumin (IC50 range, 15–22 μM) and radiation inhibited cell viability in all cell lines were tested. The combination of curcumin and radiation resulted in additive effect. Curcumin decreased COX‐2 expression and inhibited phosphorylation of EGFR in SCC‐1 cells. In tumor‐bearing mice the combination regimen showed a decrease in both tumor weight (25%, P = .09) and tumor size (15%, P = .23) compared to the nontreated mice. Conclusions: Curcumin inhibited HNSCC cell growth and augmented the effect of radiation in vitro and in vivo. A possible mechanism is inhibition of COX‐2 expression and EGFR phosphorylation. Laryngoscope, 2009