RETRACTED: Liposome-encapsulated curcumin suppresses neuroblastoma growth through nuclear factor-kappa B inhibition (Retracted article. See vol. 159, pg. 674, 2016)

Background. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) has been implicated in tumor cell proliferation and survival and in tumor angiogenesis. We sought to evaluate the effects of curcumin, an inhibitor of NF-kappa B, on a xenograft model of disseminated neuroblastoma. Methods. For in vitro studies, neuroblastoma cell lines NB1691, CHLA-20, and SK-N-AS were treated with various doses of liposomal curcumin. Disseminated neuroblastoma was established in vivo by tail vein injection of NB1691-luc cells into SCID mice, which were then treated with 50 mg/kg/day of liposomal cureumin 5 days/week intraperitoneally. Results. Curcumin suppressed NF-kappa B activation and proliferation of all neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro. In vivo, curcumin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in disseminated tumor burden. Curcumin-treated tumors had decreased NF-kappa B activity and an associated significant decrease in tumor cell proliferation and an increase in tumor cell apoptosis, as well as a decrease in tumor vascular endothelial growth factor levels and microvessel density. Conclusion. Liposomal curcumin suppressed neuroblastoma growth, with treated tumors showing a decrease in NF-kappa B activity. Our results suggest that liposomal curcumin may be a viable option for the treatment of neuroblastoma that works via inhibiting the NF-kappa B pathway. (Surgery 2012;151:736-44.)