title: Curcumin synergistically enhances the radiosensitivity of human oral squamous cell carcinoma via suppression of radiation-induced NF-κB activity.
abstract: The anticancer effect of curcumin has been widely reported. However, whether curcumin can enhance the radiosensitivity of human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin combined with radiation against OSCC. SAS cells were transfected with the luciferase gene (luc) and named SAS/luc. NF-κB/DNA binding activity, the surviving fraction and NF-κB-regulated effector protein expression were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, clonogenic survival assay and western blotting, respectively. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in SAS/luc tumor-bearing mice by caliper measurement and bioluminescence imaging. Curcumin enhanced SAS/luc radiosensitivity through the inhibition of radiation-induced NF-κB activity and expression of effector proteins both in vitro and in vivo. With 4 Gy or greater radiation doses, synergistic effects of curcumin were observed. The combination group (curcumin plus radiation) had significantly better tumor control compared with that of curcumin or radiation alone. No significant body weight change of mice was found throughout the entire study. In conclusion, curcumin is a radiosensitizer against OSCC with negligible toxicity.
authors: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: I-Tsang
authors: IT
authors: Chiang
authors: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Yu-Chang
authors: YC
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Fei-Ting
authors: FT
authors: Hsu
authors: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Yi-Chun
authors: YC
authors: Chien
authors: Department of Radiopharmaceutical Production, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Chih-Hao K
authors: CH
authors: Kao
authors: Division of Radioisotope, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Wuu-Jyh
authors: WJ
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Jing-Gung
authors: JG
authors: Chung
authors: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors: Jeng-Jong
authors: JJ
authors: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014162:Transfection; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016328:NF-kappa B; D003474:Curcumin