Efficacy of curcumin as adjuvant therapy to improve remission in myeloma patients

INTERVENTION: Patients were allocated randomly in two parallel study groups using a sealed envelope method. The treatment group (17 patients) was treated with MP regimen (melphalan 4mg/m², prednisone 40mg/m², for 7 days) and curcumin 8 grams/daily for 28 days. The control group (16 patients) was treated with MP regimen and placebo. All of the patients were evaluated every 28 days for a total of 4 cycles treatment. Each patient was followed up every 28 days, for 4 cycles. A checklist was used for data collection and filled in each visit separately. The contents of checklist were the patients' profiles (age, sex, education level), and laboratory data, including full blood count (FBC), urea, creatinine, NF‐kB, IL‐6, CRP, LDH, VEGF, and patient group (treatment or control). The physical exam of the patients was performed by a physician every visit (single blindness). Remission and TNF‐a was evaluated after the end of study CONDITION: Multiple myeloma ; Cancer ; Multiple myeloma PRIMARY OUTCOME: Overall remission at the end of the study period SECONDARY OUTCOME: Levels of NF‐kB, TNF‐a, VEGF, IL‐6, CRP, LDH measured using blood test every 28 days throughout the study period INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. New multiple myeloma patients 2. Aged over 18 years old 3. Ineligible for transplant