Effects of Curcumin on Treatment-Related Toxicities and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could impact treatment-related toxicities and patient-reported outcomes in breast cancer patients receiving active anticancer therapy. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of curcumin intervention on treatment-related toxicities, patient reported outcomes, and objective response rate (ORR). Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus and Google Scholar from inception to April 2026. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in adults with breast cancer on active anticancer treatment that compared curcumin intervention with placebo or appropriate comparator were included. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2 and certainty of evidence was assessed with GRADE. Dichotomous outcomes were combined as risk ratios (RRs) and continuous outcomes as mean difference (MD), with 95% confidence interval (CI). We included five RCTs (945 participants analyzed). Curcumin intervention reduced the severity of radiation dermatitis (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.33–0.79; p=0.003; I2=22%; moderate-certainty evidence). There were no statistically significant differences in treatment discontinuation due to toxicity, any adverse events, serious adverse events, overall quality of life, pain severity, physical function, fatigue, or ORR. For most of the other outcomes the evidence was of low or very low certainty due to risk of bias, imprecision and inconsistency. Curcumin may decrease the severity of radiation dermatitis during radiotherapy for breast cancer. So far, the evidence is inadequate to recommend curcumin as a routine supportive or cancer treatment. Further adequately powered studies are needed to clarify the effects of formulation, dose, bioavailability, treatment modality and possible interactions with anticancer therapies.