Head and neck cancers (HNC) are aggressive, difficult-to-treat
tumors that can be caused by genetic factors but mainly by lifestyle
or infection caused by the human papillomavirus. As the sixth most
common malignancy, it presents a formidable therapeutic challenge
with limited therapeutic modalities. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol,
is appearing as a promising multitarget anticancer and antimetastatic
agent. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin and its derivatives
have the potential to affect signaling pathways (NF-κB, JAK/STAT,
and EGFR) and molecular mechanisms that are crucial for the growth
and migration of head and neck tumors. Furthermore, its ability to
interact with the tumor microenvironment and trigger the immune system
may significantly influence the organism’s immune response
to the tumor. Combining curcumin with conventional therapies such
as chemotherapy or radiotherapy may improve the efficacy of treatment
and reduce the side effects of treatment, thereby increasing its therapeutic
potential. This review is a comprehensive overview that discusses
both the benefits and limitations of curcumin and its therapeutic
effects in the context of tumor biology, with an emphasis on molecular
mechanisms in the context of HNC. This review also includes possibilities
to improve the limiting properties of curcumin both in terms of the
development of new derivatives, formulations, or combinations with
conventional therapies that have potential as a new type of therapy
for the treatment of HNC and subsequent use in clinical practice.
