Curcumin in Reducing Joint Pain in Breast Cancer Survivors with Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Joint Disease

Inclusion Criteria

• Women with histologically confirmed primary invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast, stages I-IIIA
• Estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) and/or progesterone-receptor positive (PR+) breast cancer
• Completion of definitive surgery with mastectomy or breast conserving therapy
• Postmenopausal (no menses >= 12 months) or on ovarian suppression in order to take AIs
• Currently taking an Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved third-generation aromatase inhibitor (e.g., anastrozole [Arimidex], letrozole [Femara], or exemestane [Aromasin]) for >= 90 days prior to registration with plans to continue for >= 90 days after registration
• Clinical symptoms of joint pain for at least 3 months prior to study entry that started or increased with AI therapy with Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Worst Pain score >= 4 (verbal response to BPI question 3 regarding the worst pain in the past 24 hours as 0 “no pain” to 10 “pain as bad as you can imagine”)

Exclusion Criteria

• Prior malignancy =< 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast or adequately treated stage I or II cancer from which the patient is currently in complete remission
• History of a bleeding tendency or current use of coumadin or other anticoagulants
• Current or previous history of anemia
• Current autoimmune, liver, hematopoietic, cardiac, or renal disease
• Current viral, bacterial, atypical or fungal infections of any organ system
• Concurrent use of immunosuppressant medications
• Concurrent use of medications known to inhibit or induce hepatic enzyme CYP 3A4 (e.g. ketoconazole, macrolide antibiotics, barbiturates)
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situation that would limit compliance with study requirements
• Bone fracture or surgery of the affected joints, within 180 days of study entry
• Medical therapy, alternative therapy, or physical therapy for joint pain/stiffness =< 30 days of study entry
• Intra-articular steroids =< 90 days of study entry or oral/intramuscular corticosteroids < 30 days of entry
• Use of analgesics (e.g., opiates, tramadol with the exception of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] and acetaminophen) within 14 days prior to registration, or at any time during the 3-month study period
• Chronic use of any herbal or dietary supplement containing curcumin or curcuminoids =< 3 months of study entry or any other supplements that might interact with NEC (e.g. St. John’s Wort)
• Known sensitivity or allergy to turmeric spices or curry