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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
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Big effect

Curcumin with chemo quadrupled the tumor-response rate in advanced breast cancer (38% vs. 8%) over 12 weeks — but only in women already on standard chemotherapy, a small unblinded trial with an active control.

This is early, striking evidence that adding curcumin to standard chemo may meaningfully shrink tumors and extend time without progression, but the lack of blinding and small size mean the real effect is likely smaller than these dramatic numbers suggest — more trials are needed before this becomes a recommendation.

In a randomized trial of 120 women with advanced breast cancer, adding 1 g/day of curcumin (with piperine for absorption) to standard chemotherapy led to a 38% objective response rate (tumors shrinking significantly) versus 8% with chemo alone after 4 weeks, which improved further by week 12. The study also reported fewer side effects and better quality of life in the curcumin group, but the results come from a relatively small, single-center trial without blinding, so the headline numbers should be viewed as promising rather than definitive.

Where this fits in the evidence

This is among the first studies we've indexed on Turmeric for Improved Objective Response Rate — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.

The study

Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin as an Adjuvant to Standard Chemotherapy in Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.

  • Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
  • n = 120
  • 2025-09-03
  • Phytotherapy research : PTR
More on TurmericMore on Improved Objective Response Rate

This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.

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