How does the new cancer treatment use turmeric?

Scientists have engineered curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, into a smart drug delivery system that precisely targets tumors and illuminates them for monitoring.

What is a theranostic platform in cancer treatment?

A theranostic platform combines therapy with diagnostics, meaning the same system that delivers the cancer drug also aids in imaging and monitoring the treatment process.

How do the nanomicelles deliver chemotherapy drugs?

Nanomicelles deliver chemotherapy drugs by remaining stable in the bloodstream and releasing the medication precisely at the tumor site in response to its acidic microenvironment.

Home / Science / Turmeric Drug Lights Up Cancer Cells

Turmeric Drug Lights Up Cancer Cells

16 Feb

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Summary

Turmeric's curcumin compound is engineered into a smart drug delivery system.
The system precisely targets tumors, illuminating them for real-time monitoring.
This innovation enhances drug efficacy while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

Researchers at Maharaja Sayajirao University have pioneered a revolutionary cancer treatment utilizing curcumin, the active component in turmeric. This innovative approach employs a "smart" drug delivery system that precisely targets cancerous tumors. The engineered curcumin glows when aggregated within tumor tissue, acting as a visual guide for doctors to monitor treatment progress and tumor shrinkage in real-time.

The system, funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, uses nanomicelles to carry chemotherapy drugs. These carriers are designed to remain stable in the bloodstream but release their payload exclusively in the acidic microenvironment characteristic of tumors. This targeted release enhances drug efficacy and drastically reduces collateral damage to healthy organs.