The Potential of Curcumin in Cervical Cancer Treatment: An Innovative and Complementary Approach to Enhance the Efficacy of Conventional Therapies

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, particularly in developing countries. This disease is primarily caused by persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which plays a crucial role in the progression of precancerous lesions and invasive cancers. Although vaccination against HPV has made significant progress in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer, these vaccines do not cover all high-risk HPV genotypes, and access to vaccination remains a major challenge in resource-limited countries. As a result, mortality from this disease remains high, and the need for new, cost-effective therapies with fewer side effects is increasingly felt. One of the innovative approaches in this regard is the use of curcumin, a natural bioactive compound found in turmeric, which has garnered significant attention due to its anticancer and antioxidant properties. This article examines the role of curcumin in the treatment of cervical cancer. Methods: This review article was prepared by searching reputable scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, for articles published between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۴. Preclinical and clinical studies related to curcumin and cervical cancer were selected and analyzed based on relevant keywords. Articles were chosen based on their scientific quality and direct relevance to the research topic. Results: Recent studies demonstrate that HPV vaccination has effectively contributed to reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. However, due to the limitations of this vaccine in covering all high-risk HPV genotypes and the economic challenges of accessing vaccination in some countries, this method alone is insufficient. Therefore, regular screening and immediate treatment of precancerous lesions remain essential. In this context, preclinical studies have shown that curcumin, as a natural compound, can inhibit key signaling pathways such as NF-κB and PI۳K/AKT, which are involved in cancer cell growth, proliferation, and resistance to chemotherapy. Additionally, synthetic derivatives of curcumin have been used as adjuvants to conventional therapies by inducing apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Evidence suggests that combining curcumin with platinum-based chemotherapy leads to better outcomes in reducing cancer cell growth compared to chemotherapy alone, with fewer toxic effects on healthy cells. These characteristics position curcumin as a promising option for combination with standard cervical cancer treatments. Conclusion: The results of this review indicate that curcumin, due to its anticancer properties and its ability to inhibit signaling pathways associated with treatment resistance, holds promise as a complementary compound in the treatment of cervical cancer. Although challenges such as poor curcumin bioavailability exist, recent advancements in pharmaceutical formulations, including the use of nanoparticles, have significantly mitigated this issue. Future research should focus on conducting large-scale clinical trials to conclusively demonstrate the efficacy and safety of curcumin in cervical cancer treatment, so that it can be officially incorporated into treatment protocols.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cervical Cancer ، Human Papillomavirus (HPV) ، Curcumin