The potential role of curcumin (diferuloylmethane) in plasma cell dyscrasias/paraproteinemia.
Plasma cell dyscrasias, most commonly associated with paraproteinemia, are a diverse group of diseases. Monoclonal gammopathy of undefined significance (MGUS) can precede multiple myeloma, a progressive neoplastic disease. MGUS occurs in association with a variety of other diseases and currently no treatment is recommended but rather "watchful waiting". Given that the size of the M-protein is a risk factor for disease progression, early intervention with the aim of reducing the paraprotein load would provide an innovative therapeutic tool. Preliminary results from our pilot study show a drop of between 5% and 30% serum paraprotein in patients taking curcumin compared with patients on placebo. Curcumin is a diferuloylmethane present in extracts of the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant. As a natural product, this has exciting potential in the treatment of plasma cell dyscrasias.
Golombick
Terry
T
Department of Endocrinology, St George Hospital, Kogarah, Australia.
Diamond
Terry
T
Clin Cancer Res. 2004 Oct 15;10(20):6847-54
15501961
Br J Haematol. 2006 Sep;134(6):573-89
16938117
Postgrad Med J. 2007 Apr;83(978):217-23
17403946