Pilot Study of Curcumin for Women With Obesity and High Risk for Breast Cancer

The Ohio State University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Lobular Breast Carcinoma in Situ; Atypical Ductal Breast Hyperplasia; Ductal Breast Carcinoma in Situ; BRCA2 Gene Mutation; BRCA1 Gene Mutation

Treatments: Other: Biomarker analysis; Other: Assessment of Dietary Intake; Other: Daily Log; Dietary Supplement: curcumin

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01975363

OSU-13034

NCI-2013-01199 (Registry Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized pilot clinical trial studies a nanoemulsion formulation of curcumin in reducing inflammatory changes in breast tissue in obese women at high risk for breast cancer. Curcumin may reduce inflammation in breast tissue and fat. This may affect the risk of developing breast cancer.

Full description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

i.) To determine whether nanoemulsion curcumnin modulates pro-inflammatory biomarkers in plasma and breast adipose tissue.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES include:

ii.) To determine the adherence, tolerability and safety of two doses of nanoemulsion curcumin (NEC) in women at high risk for developing breast cancer;

iii.) Evaluate possible correlations between physical factors such as body mass index (BMI), dietary intake and pro-inflammatory effects in plasma and breast adipose tissue.

iv.) Explore additional biomarkers as surrogate endpoints to measure effects of NEC.

OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Participants receive lower dose of nanoemulsion curcumin orally (PO) twice daily (BID) for 3 months.

ARM II: Participants receive 100 mg of nanoemulsion curcumin PO BID for 3 months.

Enrollment: 29 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 19+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Increased risk for breast cancer based on family history, personal history
• Normal mammogram, clinical breast examination in the past 12 months
• >1 year from pregnancy, lactation or chemotherapy
• Body mass index (BMI) between 25 - 40

Exclusion criteria

• Concurrent malignancy or metastatic malignancy of any kind
• Ongoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other cancer-related treatment
• History of a bleeding tendency or current use of Coumadin or other anticoagulants
• Current or previous history of liver, gastrointestinal, hematopoietic, cardiac or renal disease, viral, bacterial, atypical or fungal infections of any organ system and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Concurrent use of hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy
• Concurrent use of immunosuppressant medications
• Concurrent use of medications known to inhibit or induce hepatic enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4
• Barriers to fine needle aspiration sampling of breast adipose, including breast implants, history of radiation to both breasts, bilateral mastectomies, and/or insufficient breast adipose tissue for adequate fine needle aspiration (FNA) sampling
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, or psychiatric illness/social situation that would limit compliance with study requirements
• Chronic use of any herbal or dietary supplement containing curcumin or curcuminoids within the 3 months prior to entry on the study or any other supplements that might interact with NEC
• Known sensitivity or allergy to turmeric spices or curry
• Dietary intake of large amounts of curry, turmeric spices or black pepper on a regular basis
• Subjects on a standing regimen of full dose aspirin (>= 325 mg/day), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)s or NSAID-containing products

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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29 participants in 2 patient groups

Arm I (lower dose curcumin)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive 50 mg dose curcumin PO BID for 3 months. Biomarker analyses of breast adipose tissue and plasma samples will be obtained at baseline and 3 months. Breast adipose tissue samples will be obtained via fine needle aspiration. Plasma samples from the baseline blood draw will be assessed for curcumin and also stored at -80°C for biomarker analysis. Assessment of dietary intake by food frequency questionnaires and 24 hour dietary recalls will be used to assess usual dietary habits. All participants will complete a daily log on the date and time of NEC administration, potential adverse events, and medications.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: curcumin

Other: Daily Log

Other: Assessment of Dietary Intake

Other: Biomarker analysis

Arm II (higher dose curcumin)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive 100 mg dose curcumin PO BID for 3 months. Biomarker analyses of breast adipose tissue and plasma samples will be obtained at baseline and 3 months. Breast adipose tissue samples will be obtained via fine needle aspiration. Plasma samples from the baseline blood draw will be assessed for curcumin and also stored at -80°C for biomarker analysis. Asssessment of dietary intake by food frequency questionnaires and 24 hour dietary recalls will be used to assess usual dietary habits. All participants will complete a daily log on the date and time of NEC administration, potential adverse events, and medications.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: curcumin

Other: Daily Log

Other: Assessment of Dietary Intake

Other: Biomarker analysis