In Response: We appreciate the interest in our clinical study of curcumin (1) and agree that this molecule, with its diverse biological activities (2), merits further exploration. Major limitations for curcumin include its insolubility and its poor absorption after oral administration. Several methods are being explored to increase its bioavailability. Because curcumin is hydrophilic, in our laboratory, we have encapsulated curcumin in liposomes. This formulation allows curcumin to be given intravenously. In vivo data in mouse xenograft models of human colorectal and pancreatic cancer suggest that liposomal curcumin has potent antitumor and antiangiogenic effects (3, 4). We are therefore developing liposomal curcumin for the clinical setting.

The concept of a heat-solubilized curcumin is of interest, and it is suggested that this molecule could be given orally. Although we understand that using the heat-solubilization process seems to overcome the solubility problem for curcumin in aqueous mediums (curcumin being intensely hydrophobic), more preclinical data are still needed to show that it retains its antitumor activity and is absorbed after oral administration.

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

1
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Li L, Aggarwal BB, Shishodia S, et al. Nuclear factor-κB and IκB kinase are constitutively active in human pancreatic cells, and their down-regulation by curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is associated with the suppression of proliferation and the induction of apoptosis.
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Li L, Ahmed B, Mehta K, Kurzrock R. Liposomal curcumin with and without oxaliplatin: effects on cell growth, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer.
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Li L, Braiteh FS, Kurzrock R. Liposome-encapsulated curcumin: in vitro and in vivo effects on proliferation, apoptosis, signaling, and angiogenesis.
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American Association for Cancer Research
2009