Curcumin Sensitizes Cancers Towards TRAIL-induced Apoptosis via Extrinsic and Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathways

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a natural protein expressed in a wide range of tissues in our body. It is a promising anti-cancer agent due to its selective killing of cancer cells, rendering normal cells unharmed. However, resistance occurs either intrinsically or develops over the course of TRAIL treatment. In view of its specificity to cancer cells, there is a pushing need to overcome TRAIL resistance. Curcumin (Cur), a natural active constituent of turmeric, has been evidenced to have anti-cancer properties. However, it is limited by its sparing solubility and low bioavailability. Combinational therapy is one of the most frequently used strategies to overcome these limitations, which has been proved to be more effective than monotherapy by achieving synergistic effects and reducing toxicity. This review aims to discuss TRAIL and its underlying apoptotic mechanisms, the combinational treatment of Cur and TRAIL in view of their respective limitations, and the underlying apoptotic mechanisms activated by the sensitization of cancers by Cur towards TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Finally, this review discusses the research gap and the author’s insight into this research area in bridging the research gap from bench to bedside.