Can Curcumin Achieve Radiosensitization Beyond that Achieved with Concurrent Chemotherapy in Head and Neck Cancers?

Background: Radiosensitizers are compounds capable of enhancing cellular damage caused by radiation. The development of products that can increase the radiosensitivity of tumor cells and protect the normal cells is much needed for a better therapeutic ratio. Methods: We conducted this phase 2 randomized screening trials in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients to compare the overall treatment response, acute toxicities, speech, and swallow function by combining an easily available, natural compound “curcumin” with concurrent chemo radiotherapy (CRT). After inclusion and exclusion criteria, from a total of 70 patients, patients in the study arm (35) arm A were instructed to take 1 g of nanocurcumin, and patients in the control arm (35) arm B were supplied with a placebo. Treatment outcome in terms of overall response rates (ORR) was assessed after 4–6 weeks of completion of CRT using a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan. Results: The ORR was 93.75% in arm A compared to 81.25% in arm B (an absolute difference of 12.5%, P = 0.131). Acute laryngeal and pharyngeal toxicities were significantly reduced in arm A compared to arm B ( P < 0.05). Leukopenia, neutropenia, and anemia were also markedly lower in arm A ( P < 0.05). We also observed a statistically significant worsening in speech and swallow functions in arm B after CRT. Conclusion: Nanocurcumin can be safely utilized in HNC patients receiving concurrent CRT to reduce acute toxicities and to improve speech and swallow functions. We also noticed a marginal difference in our primary objective, the ORR, although it was not statistically significant.