Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

All Conditions

Neoplasms

Wounds and Injuries

Dermatitis

Breast Neoplasms

Radiodermatitis

Skin Diseases

Radiation Injuries

Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Antineoplastic Agents

Antirheumatic Agents

Analgesics

All Drugs and Chemicals

Curcumin

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic

Enzyme Inhibitors

4 Curcumin C3 Complex 500mg capsules (2.0 g) taken orally 3 times/day throughout course of radiation treatments plus one week

4 placebo capsules taken orally 3 times/day throughout course of radiation treatments plus one week

Placebo

Julie Ryan, PhD, MPH

The purpose of the study is to determine whether curcumin, an ingredient of some foods, can prevent or reduce the severity of skin reactions (dermatitis) caused by radiation therapy. Dermatitis is a common side effect of radiation treatment, but few effective treatments have been developed for it. Curcumin is a natural compound found in both turmeric and curry powder. It has been used for centuries as a spice (curry), a food coloring and as a food preservative. Curcumin is non-toxic and has been found to enhance the functions of normal tissues..

Radiation is a toxic agent and a widely accepted form of treatment for various types of cancer. Approximately half of all women with breast cancer receive radiation therapy. Despite advances in medical technology, radiation therapy still causes severe skin effects. Radiation dermatitis occurs in approximately 90% of patients and ranges in severity from mild redness to more severe skin changes. Dermatitis is a common side effect of radiation treatment, but few effective treatments have been developed for it; currently, there is no standard treatment for the prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis. Curcumin is a natural compound found in both turmeric and curry powder. It has been used for centuries as a spice (curry), a food coloring and as a food preservative. Curcumin is non-toxic and has been found to enhance the functions of normal tissues.

Oral Curcumin for Radiation Dermatitis

Oral Curcumin for Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients

The outcome measures will be the severity of radiation dermatitis, using the Radiation Dermatitis Score (RDS), at the end of treatment in each treatment arm. (Objective: To examine the efficacy of curcumin in preventing and/or reducing the severity of dermatitis in radiation treatment site in breast cancer patients). The RDS score ranges from 0-4 with higher scores indicating worse outcome.

Moist desquamation was measured by the presence of wet, patchy crusting, oozing, or ulcerated skin in areas where skin was peeling in sheets.

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

University of Rochester

Assistant Professor

4 Curcumin C3 Complex 500mg capsules (2.0 g) taken orally 3 times/day throughout course of radiation treatments plus one week

Curcumin: 4 Curcumin C3 Complex 500mg capsules (2.0 g) taken orally 3 times/day throughout course of radiation treatments plus one week

4 placebo capsules taken orally 3 times/day throughout course of radiation treatments plus one week

Placebo: 4 placebo capsules taken orally 3 times/day throughout course of radiation treatments plus one week

Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for oral curcumin