Role of Curcumin on Tumor Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Pornphrom Chintana

Authors

Pornphrom Chintana

Keywords:

Curcumin, Angiogenesis, Hepatocellular carcinoma, VEGF, COX-2

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor characterized by active neovascularization. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important angiogenic factor that regulates the HCC development. Overexpression of VEGF enhances the HCC tumor growth associated with increase of angiogenesis in the tumor, whereas suppression of VEGF attenuates the tumor growth. Similarly, the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression stepwisely increases during hepatocarcinogenesis. Curcurmin has been shown to inhibit several angiogenic biomarkers including, VEGF and COX-2 expression. Therefore, curcumin could be used as a candidate for the combined drug treatment for HCC in the future.

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