Turmeric and black pepper extract shows promise in slowing early cancers
NCT ID NCT04731844
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a daily supplement of curcumin (from turmeric) and piperine (from black pepper) in 30 people with early-stage prostate cancer or pre-cancerous blood conditions (MGUS or low-risk smoldering multiple myeloma). The goal was to see if the supplement could lower cancer markers or prevent the disease from getting worse over 12 months. While the treatment is not a cure, it may offer a natural way to help manage these conditions and delay the need for stronger treatments.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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30 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2021
- Finished
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Sep 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * The patient or a legally authorized representative must provide study-specific informed consent prior to study entry. * Age ≥ 18 years of age. * Karnofsky performance status (KPS) of ≥ 70%. * Subjects with either 1) non-metastatic biopsy proven adenocarcinoma of the prostate who have chosen AS the treatment option for their prostate cancer or 2) have the diagnosis of either MGUS or low-risk SMM and are currently on observation alone. * For patients with MGUS or low-risk SMM, diagnosis must be according to the definition of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG). 1. MGUS: serum M-protein \<3.0g/dL, \<10% clonal plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow, and absence of end-organ damage (CRAB criteria) that can be attributed to the plasma cell disorder. 2. SMM: serum M-protein of ≥3.0g/dL or a proportion of clonal PCs in the BM of ≥10% but \<60%, and no evidence of end organ damage as described below. * Absence of end organ damage is defined by absence of CRAB criteria: * C: Absence of hypercalcemia, defined as calcium ≤11mg/dL. * R: Absence of renal failure, defined as serum creatinine ≤2.0mg/dL. * A: Absence of anemia, defined as hemoglobin ≥10g/dL. * B: Absence of lytic bone lesions per IMWG recommendations: One of either PET-CT, low-dose whole-body CT, or whole- body MRI. Increased uptake on PET-CT alone is not adequate for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma; evidence of underlying osteolytic bone destruction is needed on the CT portion of the examination. * At least one of the risk factors below that portends for an increased risk of progression to MM: * Abnormal serum free light chain ratio. * M-spike ≥2.0g/dL. * ≥ 20% bone marrow clonal plasma cells. * Immunoparesis ≥20% reduction from institutional normal standard of uninvolved immunoglobulins. Exclusion Criteria * Currently taking supplements containing either curcumin or piperine. * Plan to start any additional over the counter supplements prior to or during trial period. * For prostate cancer patients must not be planning to undergoing primary curative therapy for their prostate cancer (radiation, surgery, brachytherapy). * For MGUS/ SMM patients, must not have had evidence of disease progression which might require treatment during the one-year study period. * Other: symptomatic plasma cell leukemia, amyloidosis, POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein). * Subject is pregnant or breast feeding, or planning to become pregnant during the treatment period. * Evidence of any of the following conditions per subject self-report or medical chart review: Major surgery or significant traumatic injury occurring within 4 weeks before enrollment.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, 14623, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- A "Physician & patient-powered" cohort registry
- RE-irradiation for isolated FOCal recurrence of prostate cancer with ultrahypofracted SBRT: the RE-FOCUS study - pushing the boundaries of precision and efficacy
- A phase i study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of 3D189 in patients with hematologic malignancies
- Daratumumab, pomalidomide and dexamethasone for Del(17p) positive relapsed and Relapsed/Refractory multiple myeloma patients [DEDALO]
- A sharper eye for cancer: new PET tracer targets hidden tumors
- Can a radioactive tracer help surgeons find hidden prostate cancer?