Curcumin-Infused Nanoparticles Found To Target And Destroy Neuroblastoma Cancer Tumors

8 September 2017

 - Researchers from the Nemours Children’s Health System and the University of Central Florida revealed that they have found an innovative way to prevent the incidents of neuroblastoma, the most common cancer among infants. This promising new study, published in Nanoscale, used nanoparticles to deliver an ample amount of curcumin to tumor cells. The authors of the study noted that delivering curcumin through nanoparticles methodically targeted and destroyed treatment-resistant neuroblastoma tumor cells.

Curcumin, the main compound of turmeric, is being considered as an effective and inexpensive alternative treatment for various forms of cancer. Research validating this relationship is limited; although health and wellness experts say the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the ingredient incite apoptosis among cancer cells. To date, the manner in which curcumin was introduced into the body was through supplements. While this was already observed to be effective, the curcumin still had to go through various biological processes before reaching its intended area. Using nanoparticles eliminated the delay; presumably reaching tumor cells almost immediately.

What is most interesting about the results of this study is that curcumin was seen to reduce the size and appearance of tumor cells that had already developed a resistance to traditional cancer treatments. Senior author of the study, Dr. Tamarah Westmoreland says on Science Daily, “high-risk neuroblastoma can be resistant to traditional therapy, and survival can be poor. This research demonstrates a novel method of treating this tumor without the toxicity of aggressive therapy that can also have late effects on the patient’s health.”