Modified Curcumins as Potential Drug Candidates for Breast Cancer: An Overview

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC), the most common malignancy in women, results from significant alterations in genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that alter multiple signaling pathways in growth and malignant progression, leading to limited long-term survival. Current studies with numerous drug therapies have shown that BC is a complex disease with tumor heterogeneity, rapidity, and dynamics of the tumor microenvironment that result in resistance to existing therapy. Targeting a single cell-signaling pathway is unlikely to treat or prevent BC. Curcumin (a natural yellow pigment), the principal ingredient in the spice turmeric, is well-documented for its diverse pharmacological properties including anti-cancer activity. However, its clinical application has been limited because of its low solubility, stability, and bioavailability. To overcome the limitation of curcumin, several modified curcumin conjugates and curcumin mimics were developed and studied for their anti-cancer properties. In this review, we have focused on the application of curcumin mimics and their conjugates for breast cancer.

Keywords: breast cancer; conjugates; curcumin; curcumin mimic; drug development; synthesis.

Figure 1

Keto-enol tautomeric forms of curcumin (CUR).

Figure 2

Structure of curcumin with indications of the important sites.

Figure 3

Interaction of diacetylcurcumin (DAC) with bovine β-casein.