Curcumin should be avoided during cancer treatment ?

I understand the benefit of curcumin is well-known. However,  My onco advised me not to take curcumin (Tumeric) supplement at the very beginning of my SBC treatment. I have done some research and my understanding is that some of the breast cancer drugs are metabolized via CYP3A4 ie. Letrozole, Taxol. A CYP3A4 inhibitor would increase the drug’s toxicity and vice versa, a CYP3A4 inducer would decrease the efficiency of the drug. 

 

My study :

(1) cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/how-you-have/taking-medicines/foods-drinks-avoid

(2) mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/turmeric

******   extracted from above link *****

Do Not Take If

  • You are taking  chemotherapy drugs such as camptothecin, mechlorethamine, doxorubicin, or cyclophosphamide : Turmeric inhibits the action of these drugs against breast cancer cells in lab experiments. Clinical relevance is not known.
  • You are taking  drugs metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme : Curcumin inhibits cytochrome 3A4 enzyme, ` the metabolism of certain prescription drugs. Clinical relevance is not known.

(3) nature.com/articles/srep06587#article-info

*****    Extracted from above  link *** Results
Effect of curcumin on EVL (Everolimus) pharmacokinetics in rats

… The results showed that 50 and 100 mg/kg of curcumin both significantly decreased the Cmax of EVL by 76.7% and reduced the AUC0-540 by 70.6% and 71.5%, respectively. The MRT of EVL was significantly increased by 100 mg/kg of curcumin by 35.3%, but not affected by 50 mg/kg of curcumin.

************

 

 

 

 

Thanks for posting those links and information. I personally don’t take turmeric as a specific supplement but I had heard some people had been advised by their oncologist not to take it. Now I understand why. Very interesting. 

Thanks for sharing.  I’ve been taking high doses of curcumin since diagnosis under the guidance of a herbalist.  I was on Docetaxal and am now on Traztuzumab and Pertuzumab, and so far (less than a year on) I am NEAD.  It’s a bit of a minefield trying to figure out what’s helpful and what’s harmful.