Curcuma as an adjuvant in colorectal cancer treatment

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide and mostly affects men. Around 20% of its incidence is by familiar disposition due to hereditary syndromes. The CRC treatment involves surgery and chemotherapy; however, the side effects of treatments and the fast emergence of drug resistance evidence the necessity to find more effective drugs. Curcumin is the main polyphenol pigment present in Curcuma longa, a plant widely used as healthy food with antioxidant properties. Curcumin has synergistic effects with antineoplastics such as 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin, as well anti-inflammatory drugs by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 and the Nuclear factor kappa B. Furthermore, curcumin shows anticancer properties by inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, Notch, and the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways implicated in the progression of CRC. However, the consumption of pure curcumin is less suitable, as the absorption is poor, and the metabolism and excretion are high. Pharmacological formulations and essential oils of the plant improve the curcumin absorption, resulting in therapeutical dosages. Despite the evidence obtained in vitro and in vivo, clinical studies have not yet confirmed the therapeutic potential of curcumin against CRC. Here we reviewed the last scientific information that supports the consumption of curcumin as an adjuvant for CRC therapy.

Conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia. Interferon as a rescue therapy after failure of mitomycin C

CLINICAL CASE

The case of a 60 year-old male with a conjunctival lesion diagnosed as conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), who was treated with mitomycin-C for 3 weeks with minimal improvement. The therapy was change to interferon 2B. Six month later, and after a complete remission of the lesion, the treatment was suspended, with no signs of relapse.

DISCUSSION

The treatment of these lesions is currently made with chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents, such as mitomycin-C, 5-fluorouracil, and interferon alfa 2B. The latter, even although is the least used, gives excellent results with fewer secondary effects than mitomycin-C, resulting in an optimal therapy for the non-invasive treatment of CIN lesions.