Thermally responsive nanoparticle-encapsulated curcumin and its combination with mild hyperthermia for enhanced cancer cell destruction

The combination of thermally responsive nanoparticle-encapsulated curcumin (nCCM) with mild hyperthermia significantly augments cancer cell destruction of the nCCM by inducing cell apoptosis and necrosis through injury pathways associated with heat shock protein 70 and 27. This is due at least in part to the improved cell uptake and intracellular retention of nCCM as a result of mild hyperthermia to reduce exocytosis and facilitate nuclear delivery of nCCM.