[Multibilly]

New curcumin study with MGUS & smoldering patients

by Multibilly on Tue May 16, 2017 7:53 pm

Here are the results of a recent paper put out by Dr. Terry Golombick that looks at the long-term results of a handful of MGUS and smoldering multiple myeloma patients that have been on curcumin for a number of years.

Golombick, T, et al, "Long-term follow-up of curcumin treated MGUS/SMM patients – an updated single centre experience," Hematology & Medical Oncology, April 29, 2017 (full text of article)

This is an excerpt from the paper:

"We present here an update on the long-term follow-up of 13 MGUS/SMM patients who have been taking curcumin (at a dose of 4 -8 grams daily) for a period of 3-9 years. The patients are monitored every 3-6 months with blood tests being done at each monitoring visit. As far as we know, we are the only centre treating MGUS/SMM patients with curcumin.

From the table, it can be seen that there are 6 MGUS and 7 SMM patients, 11 are IgG, 1x IgA and 1x IgM. Eight have kappa disease and 5 have lambda disease. Six patients are male and 7 females and the average age is 68 years. The median time of curcumin administration is 5.6 years and only one patient has developed progressive disease (patient no. 8 - cardiac amyloidosis) after 6 years of curcumin therapy. This patient has commenced anti-myeloma therapy. Five patients showed a decrease in paraprotein levels, 3 increased slightly while the rest remained stable. The bone marrow plasma cells decreased in 4 patients and increased modestly in 2 others while it remained the same in 3. Three MGUS patients have not had bone marrow aspirates/biopsies done. Five patients showed a decrease in hemoglobin while it increased slightly or remained stable in the others. Whilst the involved free light chain increased in most patients, this was accompanied by an increase in the uninvolved free light chain in most of the patients, leading to a decrease in ratio in 3 of the patients."

[Multibilly]

Re: New curcumin study with MGUS & smoldering patients

by Multibilly on Thu May 18, 2017 3:35 pm

BTW, I also just came across this recent curcumin study from the UK:

http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2017/bcr-2016-218148.long

"Myeloma is a haematological malignancy which typically follows a relapsing-remitting course. While treatment can control the myeloma and improve quality of life for given periods of time, remissions generally become progressively shorter with subsequent relapses, and patients ultimately enter a final refractory phase. To help control symptoms and enhance quality of life, some patients use complementary therapies as an adjunct to their conventional therapy. Here, we describe a myeloma patient who started a daily dietary supplement of curcumin when approaching her third relapse. In the absence of further antimyeloma treatment, the patient plateaued and has remained stable for the last 5 years with good quality of life."

[FingersCrossed]

Re: New curcumin study with MGUS & smoldering patients

by FingersCrossed on Sun May 21, 2017 1:09 am

Interesting that the woman in the UK case report took it on an empty stomach and took a full 8 g at one time. I have been taking 4 g spread out through the day and after eating (full stomach). My latest lab results from last week show no progression since a smoldering multiple myeloma diag­nosis in 2014.