Long-term stabilisation of myeloma with curcumin
BMJ Case Reports. 2017; doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-218148
| Multiple myelomas is a cancer of white blood cells, specifically of antibody-secreting plasma cells. In case of multiple myeloma, the cancer cells propagate and accumulate in the bone marrow. It has tendency of relapsing-remitting courses. Though the various treatments can regulate the pathology and improve the quality of life for certain periods of time, usually remissions generally become progressively shorter with subsequent relapses. In such a scenario, some patients use complementary therapies as an adjunct to their conventional therapy. Curcumin is a well versed phytoceutical, was studied in myeloma subject in her third relapse. |
Objective:
To study the curcumin efficacy as an adjuvant in stage 3 myeloma subject.
Methods:
A woman, aged 57 years, diagnosed with ISS Stage 3 myeloma and the myeloma was nonresponding to standard chemotherapy. The disease was relapsing, and the condition was severe. At this condition, she was given curcumin complexed with Bioperine (to aid absorption), as a single dose of 8 g daily evening on an empty stomach. A few months later, she also embarked on a once-weekly course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (90 min at 2 ATA). The patient continues to take oral curcumin 8 g daily without further antimyeloma treatment.
Results:
Over a period of 60 months, her myeloma remained stable with minimal fluctuation in paraprotein level, blood counts lie within the normal range and she maintained a good quality of life throughout this period.
Conclusion
The study strengthens the evidence for the therapeutic potential of curcumin in myeloma subjects.