Revisiting Curcumin in Cancer Therapy: Recent Insights into Molecular Mechanisms, Nanoformulations, and Synergistic Combinations

Curcumin has been extensively investigated as an anticancer agent, yet its clinical application remains constrained by low bioavailability, incomplete mechanistic understanding, and limited therapeutic optimization. In light of growing resistance to conventional chemotherapies and the demand for safer, multi-targeted agents, this review revisits curcumin with a contemporary lens. We critically evaluate the literature published since 2020, focusing on newly elucidated molecular mechanisms by which curcumin regulates tumor progression, including modulation of oncogenic signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT, and MAPK), induction of ferroptosis, and epigenetic reprogramming. A particular emphasis is placed on recent advances in nanoformulation strategies that enhance curcumin’s pharmacokinetic profile and target-specific delivery. Furthermore, the emerging paradigm of combination therapy is explored, where curcumin acts synergistically with chemotherapeutics and phytochemicals to overcome drug resistance and potentiate anticancer efficacy. This review identifies key knowledge gaps, such as inconsistent clinical translation and the underexplored interplay between nanocurcumin systems and immune modulation, outlining directions for future translational research.

• Publication year

  2025

• Venue

  Current Issues in Molecular Biology

• Publication date

  2025-09-01

• Fields of study

  Medicine, Materials Science, Chemistry

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.3390/cimb47090716PMID 41020838PMCID 12468695
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• A pharmacoinformatic approach for studying Atractylodes Lancea DC’s anticancer potential and control ROS-mediated apoptosis against prostate cancer cells

  2025cited by this paper
• From foe to friend: Rewiring oncogenic pathways through artificial selenoprotein to combat immune-resistant tumor

  2025cited by this paper
• Triggered "On/off" Luminescent Polypeptide Bowl-Shaped Nanoparticles for Selective Lighting of Tumor Cells.

  2025cited by this paper
• Short‐chain acyl post‐translational modifications in cancers: Mechanisms, roles, and therapeutic implications

  2025cited by this paper
• Polydopamine Nanoparticles-coated Curcumin Upregulates the Expression of Nrf2 through the Keap1/ARE Signaling Pathway to Improve Liver Injury in Mice with Liver Cancer

  2025cited by this paper
• Curcumin-Based Nanoparticles: Advancements and Challenges in Tumor Therapy

  2025cited by this paper
• Unveiling the therapeutic potential of natural products in Alzheimer’s disease: insights from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies

  2025cited by this paper
• Isorhamnetin: Reviewing Recent Developments in Anticancer Mechanisms and Nanoformulation-Driven Delivery

  2025cited by this paper
• Mechanistic insights curcumin’s anti-inflammatory in pancreatic cancer: experimental and computational evidence implicating IL1B interference via IL10RA upregulation and NLRP3/TLR3 downregulation

  2025cited by this paper
• Smart hydrogel: A new platform for cancer therapy.

  2025cited by this paper
• Prunin: An Emerging Anticancer Flavonoid

  2025cited by this paper
• Development and evaluation of folic acid conjugated curcumin-loaded functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for enhanced efficacy in ovarian cancer treatment

  2025cited by this paper
• Whole genome sequencing and annotations of Trametes sanguinea ZHSJ

  2025cited by this paper
• Impact of Nonthermal Plasma on Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV): Mechanisms of Viral Inactivation and Replication Inhibition

  2025cited by this paper
• Curcumin Inhibits Bladder Cancer by Inhibiting Invasion via AKT/MMP14 Pathway.

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin inhibits prostate cancer by upregulating miR‐483‐3p and inhibiting UBE2C

  2024cited by this paper
• Bioinspired, metal-free modification of cotton fabric using polydopamine-coated curcumin for health-protective clothing

  2024cited by this paper
• Smart Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loading Curcumin Inhibit Liver Cancer.

  2024cited by this paper
• Medicinal chemistry perspective of JAK inhibitors: synthesis, biological profile, selectivity, and structure activity relationship

  2024cited by this paper
• Nanocodelivery of 5-Fluorouracil and Curcumin by RGD-Decorated Nanoliposomes Achieves Synergistic Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin and its anti‐colorectal cancer potential: From mechanisms of action to autophagy

  2024cited by this paper
• Turmeric Cultivation and Medicinal Benefits: Special Reference to Kandhamal District of Odisha, India

  2024cited by this paper
• Mussel-inspired protein-based nanoparticles for curcumin encapsulation and promoting antitumor efficiency.

  2024cited by this paper
• Photostabilities and anti-tumor effects of curcumin and curcumin-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin-encapsulated glucan nanoparticles as an oxidative stress modulator against human hepatic cancer cells.

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin as a novel therapeutic candidate for cancer: can this natural compound revolutionize cancer treatment?

  2024cited by this paper
• Precisely Tailoring Molecular Structure of Doxorubicin Prodrugs to Enable Stable Nanoassembly, Rapid Activation, and Potent Antitumor Effect

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin activates the JNK signaling pathway to promote ferroptosis in colon cancer cells

  2024cited by this paper
• Innovative Delivery Systems for Curcumin: Exploring Nanosized and Conventional Formulations

  2024cited by this paper
• Injectable polydopamine/curcumin dual-modified polylactic acid/polycaprolactone coaxial staple fibers for chronotropic treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin suppresses copper accumulation in non-small cell lung cancer by binding ATOX1

  2024cited by this paper
• Synergistic Strategies for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Targeting AR-V7, Exploring Natural Compounds, and Optimizing FDA-Approved Therapies

  2024cited by this paper
• Protein nanoparticles as drug delivery systems for cancer theranostics.

  2024cited by this paper
• Co-delivery of paclitaxel and curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for improved targeting of lung cancer: In vitro and in vivo investigation

  2024cited by this paper
• Advances in Nanotechnology for Enhancing the Solubility and Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drugs

  2024cited by this paper
• CP41, a novel curcumin analogue, induces apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells by activating the H3F3A/ proteasome-MAPK signaling pathway and enhancing oxidative stress.

  2024cited by this paper
• Roles of Mutant TP53 Gene in Cancer Development and Progression

  2024cited by this paper
• The Role of Curcumin in Cancer: A Focus on the PI3K/Akt Pathway

  2024cited by this paper
• Potential Roles and Mechanisms of Curcumin and its Derivatives in the Regulation of Ferroptosis

  2024cited by this paper
• Co-Delivery of Docetaxel and Curcumin Functionalized Mixed Micelles for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Breast Cancer by Oral Administration

  2024cited by this paper
• Doxorubicin and Curcumin-Loaded Nanomicelles Targeting Multidrug Resistance in Cancer

  2024cited by this paper
• Harnessing curcumin in a multifunctional biodegradable metal-organic framework (bio-MOF) for targeted colorectal cancer theranostics

  2024cited by this paper
• VEGF‐FGF Signaling Activates Quiescent CD63+ Liver Stem Cells to Proliferate and Differentiate

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin suppresses colorectal cancer by induction of ferroptosis via regulation of p53 and solute carrier family 7 member 11/glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4 signaling axis

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin suppresses cell viability in breast cancer cell line by affecting the expression of miR-15a-5p

  2024cited by this paper
• Targeting STAT3 signaling pathway by curcumin and its analogues for breast cancer: A narrative review

  2024influential reference
• Exploration of the photothermal role of curcumin-loaded targeted carbon nanotubes as a potential therapy for melanoma cancer

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin-primed olfactory mucosa-derived mesenchymal stem cells mitigate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced neuronal PANoptosis by modulating microglial polarization.

  2024cited by this paper
• Recent Trends in Curcumin-Containing Inorganic-Based Nanoparticles Intended for In Vivo Cancer Therapy

  2024cited by this paper
• Advances in Nanocarrier Systems for Overcoming Formulation Challenges of Curcumin: Current Insights

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin for Treating Breast Cancer: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms, Combinations with Anticancer Drugs, and Nanosystems

  2024cited by this paper
• Dynamic death decisions: How mitochondrial dynamics shape cellular commitment to apoptosis and ferroptosis.

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin affects apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells through ATF6‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin-loaded emulsome nanoparticles induces apoptosis through p53 signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1.

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin-Piperlongumine Hybrid Molecule Increases Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Lung Cancer through JNK/c-Jun Signaling Pathway.

  2024cited by this paper
• Deciphering JAK/STAT signaling pathway: A multifaceted approach to tumorigenesis, progression and therapeutic interventions.

  2024influential reference
• Anti-cancer role of curcumin in prostate cancer cells via regulation of m6A-modified circ0030568-FMR1 signaling pathway

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin enhances ATG3-dependent autophagy and inhibits metastasis in cervical carcinoma

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin suppresses metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer cells by modulating EMT signaling pathways: An integrated study of bioinformatics analysis

  2024cited by this paper
• Application and potential value of curcumin in prostate cancer: a meta-analysis based on animal models

  2024cited by this paper
• Potential of Curcumin in the Management of Skin Diseases

  2024cited by this paper
• Novel targeting liposomes with enhanced endosomal escape for co-delivery of doxorubicin and curcumin.

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin blunts epithelial-mesenchymal transition to alleviate invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer through the JARID1D demethylation

  2024cited by this paper
• Curcumin and Plumbagin Synergistically Target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway: A Prospective Role in Cancer Treatment

  2023cited by this paper
• Unraveling mitochondria‐targeting reactive oxygen species modulation and their implementations in cancer therapy by nanomaterials

  2023cited by this paper
• Anticancer Activity of Novel Difluorinated Curcumin Analog and Its Inclusion Complex with 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin against Pancreatic Cancer

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin Formulations for Better Bioavailability: What We Learned from Clinical Trials Thus Far?

  2023cited by this paper
• Effect of curcumin-loaded poly(amidoamine) dendrimer on cancer cell lines: a comparison between physical loading and chemical conjugation of drug

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin Enhances the Efficacy of Docetaxel by Promoting Anti-Tumor Immune Response in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  2023cited by this paper
• Nanotechnology and curcumin: a novel and promising approach in digestive cancer therapy.

  2023cited by this paper
• The Role of Ferroptosis and Cuproptosis in Curcumin against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

  2023cited by this paper
• New metal-organic framework coated sodium alginate for the delivery of curcumin as a sustainable drug delivery and cancer therapy system.

  2023influential reference
• Potentiation of TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in TRAIL-Resistant Cholangiocarcinoma Cells by Curcumin through the Induction of DR5 Membrane Localization and Disruption of the Anti-Apoptotic Complex DR5/DDX3/GSK3β

  2023cited by this paper
• Fabrication of Sustained Release Curcumin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (Cur-SLNs) as a Potential Drug Delivery System for the Treatment of Lung Cancer: Optimization of Formulation and In Vitro Biological Evaluation

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin Analog, HO-3867, Induces Both Apoptosis and Ferroptosis via Multiple Mechanisms in NSCLC Cells with Wild-Type p53

  2023cited by this paper
• Therapeutic targets in cancer treatment: Cell cycle proteins.

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin inhibits the development of colorectal cancer via regulating the USP4/LAMP3 pathway

  2023cited by this paper
• Natural compounds: Wnt pathway inhibitors with therapeutic potential in lung cancer

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin promotes apoptosis of liver cancer cells by down-regulating WNT/β-catenin

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin mediates selective aggregation of mutant p53 in cancer cells: A promising therapeutic strategy.

  2023cited by this paper
• Mutant P53 in the formation and progression of the tumor microenvironment: Friend or foe.

  2023cited by this paper
• Nanoparticles for co-delivery of paclitaxel and curcumin to overcome chemoresistance against breast cancer

  2023cited by this paper
• Integrated Transcriptome and Molecular Docking to Identify the Hub Superimposed Attenuation Targets of Curcumin in Breast Cancer Cells

  2023cited by this paper
• Recent updates on clinical developments of curcumin and its derivatives

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin in cancer therapy: Exploring molecular mechanisms and overcoming clinical challenges.

  2023cited by this paper
• Enhancing the Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Curcumin in Combination with Quercetin, for the Prevention and Treatment of Prostate Cancer

  2023cited by this paper
• Novel curcumin nanoformulation induces apoptosis, and reduces migration and angiogenesis in liver cancer cells

  2023cited by this paper
• Bovine serum albumin and folic acid-modified aurum nanoparticles loaded with paclitaxel and curcumin enhance radiotherapy sensitization for esophageal cancer

  2023cited by this paper
• Multifunctional Calcium–Manganese Nanomodulator Provides Antitumor Treatment and Improved Immunotherapy via Reprogramming of the Tumor Microenvironment

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin modulates cell type-specific miRNA networks to induce cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells.

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin enhances the anti-cancer efficacy of paclitaxel in ovarian cancer by regulating the miR-9-5p/BRCA1 axis

  2023cited by this paper
• Advanced effect of curcumin and resveratrol on mitigating hepatic steatosis in metabolic associated fatty liver disease via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and HIF-1/VEGF cascade.

  2023cited by this paper
• Potential of curcumin and niacin-loaded targeted chitosan coated liposomes to activate autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells: An in vitro evaluation in HePG2 cell line.

  2023influential reference
• Curcumin derivative NL01 induces ferroptosis in ovarian cancer cells via HCAR1/MCT1 signaling.

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin targets miR-134-5p to suppress the progression of colorectal cancer through regulating the CDCA3/CDK1 pathway

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin Induces Ferroptosis in A549 CD133+ Cells through the GSH-GPX4 and FSP1-CoQ10-NAPH Pathways.

  2023cited by this paper
• Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) classes: From cell signaling to endocytic recycling and autophagy.

  2023cited by this paper
• Curcumin nanocapsules effect in apoptotic processes, gene expression, and cell cycle on Hep-G2 cell lines

  2023cited by this paper
• The Role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metabolism

  2023cited by this paper
• Efficient synergistic combination effect of curcumin with piperine by polymeric magnetic nanoparticles for breast cancer treatment

  2023cited by this paper

• Curcumin Synergistically Sensitizes Multidrug-Resistant Lung Cancer to Doxorubicin Through Ferroptosis-Associated Oxidative Stress

  2026cites this paper
• Traditional Chinese Medicine–Derived Phytochemicals in Prostate Cancer: Mechanisms, Progress, and Prospects”

  2026cites this paper
• Clinical hurdles for curcumin and piperine nanoparticles in prostate cancer treatment: a bridge too far or a path to clinical reality?

  2026cites this paper
• Natural compounds in ovarian cancer: mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential

  2026cites this paper
• Synergistic Antitumor Potential of Propolis With 6‑Mercaptopurine and 5‑Fluorouracil

  2026cites this paper
• Expanding the therapeutic applications of PARP inhibitors in cancer by targeting receptor tyrosine kinases.

  2026cites this paper
• Curcumin-mediated modulation of immunogenic cancer cell death pathways

  2026cites this paper
• Investigating the Synergistic Effect of Nitric Oxide Plasma-treated Water and Curcumin on Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells via intrinsic and ATR/ATM/p53-Dependent Pathways: An In Vitro Study

  2026cites this paper
• "Nature's Gold Against Skin Cancer: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of the Anticancer Potential of Curcumin".

  2025cites this paper
• Green Tea-Driven Green Synthesis of a Curcumin@Platinum Nanohybrid with Multifunctional Antioxidant, Burn-Healing Agent, and Selective Anticancer against PANC-1 Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

  2025cites this paper
• Anti-Breast Cancer Effects of Free and Nanocarrier-Loaded Salinomycin and Doxorubicin

  2025cites this paper
• Innovations in the Delivery of Bioactive Compounds for Cancer Prevention and Therapy: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

  2025cites this paper
• Progress of Section “Bioorganic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry”

  2025cites this paper
• Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields (nsPEFs) for Precision Intracellular Oncotherapy: Recent Advances and Emerging Directions

  2025cites this paper