Investigations are being carried out by the researchers at the University of Leicester to find the possible effect of an extract of spice turmeric known as curcumin to check the colon cancer.

Hope Against Cancer has given the sponsorship to the research. The researchers at the university's Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine will find out the functioning of curcumin in restricting the growth of cells in tumors. It could also identify the group of patients that may take advantage from the curcumin treatment in future.

In the western world, colon cancer is the third major cause of cancer deaths.

The researchers are examining the actual tissues extracted from the tumors of patients who are receiving a treatment. They want to indentify if the tissue taken from the colorectal tumors along with curcumin could effectively target chemo-resistant cells.

Dr. Karen Brown, Principal Investigator said, “Previous laboratory research has shown that curcumin, from turmeric, has not only improved the effectiveness of chemotherapy but has also reduced the number of chemo-resistant”.

He added that even after receiving therapies, there are certain cells left that cause the recurrence of the disease. These cells possess properties different from other cells in the tumor and are resistant to chemotherapy.