Component in Asian Spice Could Slow Mesothelioma Tumor Growth

The active ingredient in a common Asian spice is being scrutinized closely now for its ability to inhibit the growth of mesothelioma tumor cells, prompting scientists to search for a derivative that can be absorbed easily in the blood stream. Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color, but its medicinal value is found in curcumin, the active ingredient long-touted for both its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientists at the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Ohio and the Georg-Speyer-Haus in Frankfurt, Germany, recently published a study demonstrating how curcumin activates the specific protein that can slow or stop the growth of mesothelioma cells. "I think this is very significant," Afshin Dowlati, M.D., professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University and lead researcher, told Asbestos.com. "I will caution though, that this is all laboratory work, and not on humans yet. But it has shown clearly that it can reduce the cancer growth." Clinical Trial Not Far Off Dowlati predicts the recent work will be utilized in clinical trials involving patients within two years. The biggest issue now is the stomach doesn't absorb much of the curcumin when it's ingested as a spice. Scientists at several sites are exploring the development of a curcumin analog that can be safely absorbed by the body. "There is a lot more work to do, but this is definitely encouraging," Dowlati said. "It's a slow process, but we know what our target is now. We're ...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Research & Clinical Trials Source Type: news