USE OF CURCUMIN TO BLOCK BRAIN TUMOR FORMATION IN MICE

摘要

The present invention provides compositions and methods of using curcumin or curcumin derivatives or analogs to activate the pro-apoptotic enzymes caspase-3/7 in cancer cells. The present invention also provides formulations of curcumin or derivatives or analogs with increased solubility or improved bioavailability. The formulations may be administered to a subject such that high concentrations of therapeutically effective curcumin compounds resuit in the subject's bloodstream. The invention thus involves the use of curcumin or curcumin derivatives or analogs to diminish cancer cell growth, decrease tumor size, prevent tumor formation, and Curcumin Carrier to reduce or prevent cancer or tumor cell invasion or metastasis into a tissue, e.g., into the nervous System and especially the brain, of a subject. The instant invention may be used prophylactically to prevent tumor formation or metastasis, as a monotherapy to treat existing tumors, after surgery to prevent recurrence of tumors or in conjunction with conventional cancer therapies to improve patient prognosis and reduce side-effects.