Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Student Research Committee, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran

3 Clinical Research Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, Warith Al-Anbiyaa University, Iraq. Department of pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Kerbala, Iraq

5 Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

6 Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

7 Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

8 Saint Louis University, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

9 Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Radiodermatitis (RD) is a frequent adverse event of radiotherapy (RT).  Currently, there is no consensus and approved protocol for the treatment of RD. Curcumin (CUR) is a natural polyphenol obtained from turmeric and it has low intrinsic toxicity in humans. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the efficacy of CUR for prevention and treatment of RD.
Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was performed in the following online databases: Cochrane library, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. Among the 5 selected records, 3 had a randomized clinical trial (RCT)-design and the other had a pilot and controlled study designed. The included studies were performed on breast cancer (N=3), head and neck cancers (N=1) and different types of cancer (N=1).
Results: Four of the studies reported that the application of curcumin in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy is associated with decreased intensity of radiodermatitis. However, one study did not report any significant effect of CUR on radiodermatitis. This review provides substantial evidence which confirm the clinical value of CUR in cancer supportive care.
Conclusion: Further prospective clinical trials in larger scales are warranted in order to determine the " supplemental form and dose of CUR" for RD prevention and treatment in patients receiving radiotherapy.

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