A recent study published in the journal Carcinogenesis has shown several pathways by which a special form of clinically studied curcumin blended with turmeric essential oils called BCM-95 Curcumin can affect pancreatic cancer, specifically pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDAC is the most common form of pancreatic cancer and has a very poor prognosis, with approximately a 5% survival rate. This form of cancer is increasing in incidence, and it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer death by the year 2030, surpassing colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer.

The researchers examined the mechanisms by which this curcumin could help prevent this disease, and also how it might help people who have already developed PDAC. 

“One of the issues that make PDAC difficult to treat is how quickly this cancer becomes resistant to chemotherapy. This cancer forms stem cells that can hide until the chemo is stopped, and then recur with a great deal of resistance to the treatment. Finding a safe and effective compound that can reduce cancer stem cells and kill chemo-resistant cancer cells is crucially important, and that is what we have demonstrated in this study,” states Ajay Goel, Ph.D., Professor, and Director of Center for Epigenetics and Cancer Prevention, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, the senior author on this study. 
 
“For the first time, we have provided multiple layers of evidence regarding how curcumin affects PDAC. We demonstrated that cells that have become resistant to gemcitabine (standard of care for PDAC) significantly respond to anti-cancer and anti-stem cell properties of curcumin/turmeric oil.  
 
In order to develop a new tumor, cancer stem cells need to regroup and collect in colonies of cells called spheroids. We have provided the first evidence that this curcumin helps prevent the formation of spheroids. 
 
In another first, we showed that a novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), which controls the expression of several oncogenes, is targeted by curcumin in preventing PDAC growth. This means that the signaling properties in the body that can promote cancer growth are quieted and returned to more normal functioning. Taken together, these data provide several lines of novel evidence for the promise of BCM-95 Curcumin in PDAC prevention, treatment of disease, help in overcoming chemoresistance, reduction in cancer stem cell formation, and prevention of spheroid formation,” Dr. Goel concluded. 
 
It is important to note that the form of curcumin used in the study, enhanced absorption BCM-95, is combined with turmeric essential oil containing turmerones.  Therefore, results may not apply to other forms of curcumin.