Curcumin Regulates Lipid Mobilization Factors Through S100A9 in Patients With Anorexia–Cachexia Syndrome in Head and Neck Cancer

Background Anorexia–cachexia syndrome in head and neck cancer (ACSHNC) seriously affects the patient’s quality of life and prognosis. Curcumin inhibits head and neck cancer and anorexic cachexia syndrome. S100A9 is related to tumors, but its role in ACSHNC requires further study. Objectives This study intends to investigate the role of S100A9 in ACSHNC. Materials and Methods In this study, subjects were randomly divided into negative control (NC) group, low-, medium-, and high-dose curcumin groups, and cell proliferation was detected; flow cytometry detected cell apoptosis; Western blot detected CyclinB1, P21, DR5, and DR4, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) protein expression along with analysis of serum albumin and prealbumin levels. Results Before treatment, the patient had obvious symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue, and levels of lipid mobilization factors and S100A9 in plasma were significantly increased. After curcumin treatment, the patient’s symptoms improved considerably, and the levels of lipid mobilization factors and S100A9 in plasma were reduced. In addition, urinary excretion of lipid mobilization factors was also reduced. Conclusion Curcumin can improve the symptoms and prognosis of patients with ACSHNC by regulating lipid mobilization factors and S100A9 levels, indicating that it might be utilized as a new possibility for ACSHNC treatment.