Abstract
Objective
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
In the U.S. strategies via screening and vaccination prevent HPV-associated cervical neoplasms, but consume
immense healthcare costs. The spice component curcumin has potent anticancer and antiviral
properties, which have been difficult to harness as a treatment, due to its poor systemic
bioavailability. This project tests the possibility of developing a curcumin-based
therapy for cervical cancer.
Methods
Using four HPV(+) cervical cancer cell lines and normal fibroblasts we first tested
the selectivity and potency of curcumin in eliminating HPV(+) cells. Subsequently,
we developed a curcumin-based cervical cream and tested its efficacy in eliminating
apposed HPV(+) cells and also its possible side effects on the vaginal epithelium
of healthy mice.
Results
Curcumin selectively eliminates a variety of HPV(+) cervical cancer cells (HeLa, ME-180,
SiHa, and SW756), suppresses the transforming antigen E6, dramatically inhibits the
expression of the pro-cancer protein epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and
concomitantly induces p53. Additionally, Vacurin, a uniform colloidal solution of
curcumin in a clinically used amphipathic vaginal cream, eliminates apposed HeLa cells
while suppressing the expression of EGFR. In mice, daily intravaginal application
of Vacurin for three weeks produced no change in body weight and when the mice were
sacrificed, the vaginal tract epithelium showed no Vacurin-evoked adverse effects.
Conclusion
We have developed a curcumin-based vaginal cream, which effectively eradicates HPV(+)
cancer cells and does not affect non-cancerous tissue. Our preclinical data support
a novel approach for the treatment of cervical HPV infection.
Highlights
- The study shows the selective efficacy of the spice component curcumin in eliminating HPV(+) human cervical cancer cells.
- It develops a curcumin-based vaginal cream, Vacurin-20, and demonstrates its efficacy in eliminating apposed cervical cancer cells.
- This preclinical study establishes Vacurin-20 as a safe medication in an in vivo mouse model.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 3,
2012
Received:
September 11,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
