Curcumin add-on improves quality of life in patients with locally or advanced head and neck cancer receiving nutritional intervention.

Tawasapon Thambamroong Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital and College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand info_outline Tawasapon Thambamroong, Kasan Seetalarom, Siriwimon Saichaemchan, Khunthong Peechatanan, Jarearnjit Phavirunsiri, Naiyarat Prasongsook

Authors Tawasapon Thambamroong Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital and College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand info_outline Tawasapon Thambamroong, Kasan Seetalarom, Siriwimon Saichaemchan, Khunthong Peechatanan, Jarearnjit Phavirunsiri, Naiyarat Prasongsook Organizations Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital and College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand Abstract Disclosures Research Funding Phramongkutklao Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center Background: The CurChexia study, NCT04208334, is a phase IIa randomized control trial. The study demonstrates the benefits of adding 4,000 mg of curcumin to the standard nutritional intervention. This addition helps to increase muscle mass and delay the decrease in other body composition parameters. However, clinicians require treatment that maintains or improves the quality of life (QoL) of head and neck cancer patients. In this report, we present the QoL data. Methods: Patients participating in the study were required to complete the EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3.0 questionnaire in the Thai edition. The questionnaire was given at the beginning of the study, at the end of week 4, at the end of the study, or in week 8. The results were scored following the EORTC scoring guidelines and compared between the group that received the curcumin add-on and the standard nutritional intervention (control). The patients needed to complete all sections of the EORTC QLQ-C30, and no data was missing. Results: Ten of the 20 patients were given curcumin, while the others were in the control group. Based on the EORTC QLQ-C30, there was an improvement in the median global health status, but it was not significant between the curcumin and control groups. However, the curcumin group improved all functional status parameters, particularly physical functioning ( p = 0.001) and emotional functioning ( p = 0.023). Regarding symptom scales, curcumin significantly reduced pain symptoms ( p = 0.033) and increased appetite ( p = 0.001) compared to the control group. The other parameters that could have affected QoL did not show significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: The CurChexia study indicates that curcumin has shown promising results in improving muscle mass, enhancing quality of life, and increasing appetite, thereby establishing its position as a noteworthy phytonutrient. However, it is important to note that further research is necessary to understand the extent of its benefits fully. Clinical trial information: NCT04208334.

Clinical