Phase III Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study of Curcumin to Reduce Mucositis in Autologous Transplant Setting

Mucositis is an inevitable side-effect of intensive conditioning therapy used for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and affects the quality of life of patients undergoing transplant. The incidence of oral mucositis (WHO grades 3/4 ) with certain myeloablative conditioning regimens has been reported in up to 90% with range of severe mucositis (WHO grade 3/4) from 10 to 78%. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-B, IFN-γ and certain prostaglandins play a central role in its pathogenesis. Transcription factors such as NF-kappa B, modify the genetic expression of these cytokines and enzymes which are critical in producing tissue damage.

A number of agents and methods have been investigated to prevent or reduce mucositis in transplant setting. Some of them are amifostine, caphasol, palifermin, cryotherapy, chlorhexidine, glutamine, GM-CSF, histamine, misoprostol, laser therapy and traumeel, but only palifermin and cryotherapy have shown significant benefit.

Curcumin, polyphenol derivative with low toxicity profile, is commonly used in India for its anti-inflammatory actions. Curcumin inhibits various inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of Nuclear Factor Kappa- β. It is derived from the plant Curcuma longa. In vitro studies have shown potent anti-inflammatory activity at concentrations of 1 umol/L.

The investigators conducted the first study evaluating the role of curcumin on oral mucositis in transplant setting. In this pilot study (n=40), patients who received curcumin lozenges (n=30) had decreased levels of salivary TGF-β, IL-17 and serum PGE2 compared to patients who did not receive the curcumin lozenges (n=10). Patients who received the curcumin lozenges had higher levels of serum IL-8 which is a prohealing cytokine. The incidence of grade 3 and 4 oral mucositis and diarrhea was less in those who received curcumin lozenges. Curcumin lozenges were also well tolerated and none of the 30 patients who were administered curcumin developed any treatment related grade 3/4 toxicity. This encouraging data is the basis of the current phase III randomized study comparing curcumin lozenges to placebo, to assess the ability of curcumin to reduce the incidence and duration of oral mucositis in patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation.

The formulation being used is a Solip Lipid Curcumin microParticle (SLCP). The formulation is developed by Pharmanza Herbals Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat, India. Gota et al reported a phase I clinical trial of SLCP where upto 4 grams of the formulation containing 20-30% curcumin was evaluated for safety and pharmacokinetics in patients with high-risk osteosarcoma (Ref). The SLCP formulation showed oral bioavailability of curcumin with linear pharmacokinetics. Average peak plasma concentration of 41 ng/mL was observed at the highest dose level of 4g. All doses were well tolerated and no adverse events were observed. Based on these observations (on safety and bioavailability), and the reported anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, it was envisaged that it could be potentially useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of oral mucositis following high-dose chemotherapy.