On the Research Frontier—Colorectal Cancer & COX-2 Inhibitors

• How Turmeric Differs from Conventional Blockers

Studies suggest turmeric compounds could work with anti-inflammatory drugs to help prevent colorectal cancer. Chronic inflammation is closely associated with the transformation of precancerous lesions and polyps to colorectal cancer. 90% of colon carcinomas have high levels of inflammatory COX-2 enzymes, and inhibiting COX-2 activity reduces inflammation. However, chronic use of pharmaceutical COX-2 inhibitors may cause multiple negative side effects: ^{(vi.181, 299-300)}

Although rare, use of celecoxib can even cause potentially fatal side effects such as: ^(vi.301)

• Cerebral hemorrhage
• Exfoliative dermatitis
• Severe drug interactions
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis

Some studies show that combining celecoxib to chemotherapy drugs (such as 5-FU) may actually be particularly dangerous for people with colorectal cancer. In a clinical trial, patients with advanced colorectal cancer were given celecoxib or a placebo with either FOLFIRI or capecitabine. Regardless of which chemotherapy regimen it was combined with, those who took celecoxib had faster tumor growth than those who took placebo. ^(vi.302)

Turmeric Compounds — Novel Cox-2 Inhibitors

Turmeric compounds that inhibit COX-2 work differently than drugs classified as COX-2 inhibitors. These pharmaceutical drugs bind to COX enzymes and prevent their activity. Conversely, compounds in turmeric (such as curcumin, eugenol, and fisetin) block transcription factors that trigger production of COX-2. Some experts suggest this may explain why natural COX-2 inhibitors don't cause the adverse side effects of drugs such as celecoxib. ^{(vi.78, 94, 181, 274)}

Combining turmeric with pharmaceutical drugs could help lower the dosages needed to potently block COX-2. In turn, this could help lower the risk of side effects while achieving the same, or even better, results. ^(vi.181)