Curcumin in non-small cell lung cancer: Orchestrating tumor suppression through epigenetics

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Among these, current therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are facing limitations due to toxicity, drug resistance, and inadequate efficacy. Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound, demonstrates significant anti-NSCLC potential through epigenetic regulation and cellular biological interventions. Epigenetically, curcumin modulates DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA networks; cellularly, it inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and blocks invasion-metastasis cascades. This review examines curcumin’s mechanisms in NSCLC therapy, emphasizing its epigenetic reprogramming and multidimensional biological effects. These insights provide novel perspectives for natural product-based drug development for the treatment of NSCLC.