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01-02-2019 | Original Article

Pharmacokinetics of liposomal curcumin (Lipocurc™) infusion: effect of co-medication in cancer patients and comparison with healthy individuals

Authors: Gordon T. Bolger, Albert Licollari, Amin Tan, Richard Greil, Brigitta Vcelar, Sigrun Greil-Ressler, Lukas Weiss, Charlotte Schönlieb, Teresa Magnes, Bianca Radl, Muhammed Majeed, Peter P. Sordillo

Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Investigation of the impact of co-medication on the plasma levels of curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) in cancer patients and a comparison of the pharmacokinetics of curcumin and plasma levels of THC between cancer patients and healthy individuals following intravenous infusion of Lipocurc™ (liposomal curcumin).

Methods

Correlation analysis was used to determine the impact of co-medication on infusion rate normalized plasma levels of curcumin and THC in cancer patients and to compare the plasma levels of curcumin and THC at different infusion rates between cancer patients and healthy individuals. In vitro hepatocyte and red blood cell distribution experiments were conducted with Lipocurc™ to support clinical findings. Plasma concentration time data were analyzed by the non-compartmental method to determine and compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of curcumin in cancer patients and healthy individuals.

Results

Of 44 co-medications studied, three medications targeting the renin–angiotensin system, Lisinopril, Ramipril, and Valsartan elevated plasma levels of curcumin and THC in three cancer patients infused with Lipocurc™. Cell distribution experiments indicated that the disposition of curcumin in red blood cells may be a target for elevation of the plasma levels of curcumin. Plasma levels of curcumin in cancer patients increased to a greater extent with increased infusion rate compared to healthy individuals. Upon termination of infusion, the elimination phase for curcumin was shorter with a shorter terminal half-life and smaller volume of distribution for curcumin in cancer patients compared to healthy individuals.

Conclusion

Either co-medications or health status, or both, can impact the pharmacokinetics of curcumin infusion (as Lipocurc™) in cancer patients.

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Title: Pharmacokinetics of liposomal curcumin (Lipocurc™) infusion: effect of co-medication in cancer patients and comparison with healthy individuals
Authors: Gordon T. Bolger
Albert Licollari
Amin Tan
Richard Greil
Brigitta Vcelar
Sigrun Greil-Ressler
Lukas Weiss
Charlotte Schönlieb
Teresa Magnes
Bianca Radl
Muhammed Majeed
Peter P. Sordillo
Publication date: 01-02-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0344-5704
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0843
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-018-3730-5

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