TY - JOUR T1 - Curcumin (Diferuloylmethane) Induces Apoptosis and Blocks Migration of Human Medulloblastoma Cells JF - Anticancer Research JO - Anticancer Res SP - 499 LP - 504 VL - 30 IS - 2 AU - MADHAVI LATHA YADAV BANGARU AU - SHENGLIN CHEN AU - JEFFREY WOODLIFF AU - SANJAY KANSRA Y1 - 2010/02/01 UR - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/30/2/499.abstract N2 - Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Bcl-2 and MMP-9 promote the pathogenesis and progression of MB. The expression of both bcl-2 and MMP-9 is regulated by the transcription factor NF-κB. Curcumin, a natural food additive, has a potent anti-proliferative effect, presumably mediated through NF-κB suppression. The tumor-suppressing effects of curcumin are well documented, however, its effect on MB is unknown. Our objectives were to: a) examine the effect of curcumin on MB cell proliferation and apoptosis; b) characterize the mechanism that mediates the effect of curcumin; c) examine the effects of curcumin on MB cell migration. We report that curcumin inhibited cell proliferation and blocked clonogenicity of MB cells. Furthermore, curcumin down-regulated bcl-2 and bclxl, leading to caspase-mediated cell death. Finally, curcumin blocked migration of MB cells. Thus, we propose developing curcumin as a novel therapeutic agent for MB. Copyright© 2010 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved ER -