CBD’s Anti-Cancer Effect on Glioblastoma Multiforme
The use of the cannabis plant for medicinal purposes dates back thousands of years. The first known use of cannabis as being medicinally relevant dates back to Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi around 2900 B.C. In 2727 B.C. Chinese Emperor Shen Nung wrote about cannabis’ ability to treat malaria, gout, and menstrual problems, among others. Ancient texts in India provide documentation that cannabis was used there for medicinal purposes.
Only recently have scientists started to understand how cannabis interacts with our bodies, the biological mechanisms it uses, and the fundamental role cannabinoids play, primarily ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Studies show that CBD and THC have anticancer properties that induce cell death, decrease tumor size and weight, slow tumor growth, suppress cell proliferation, and inhibit cell migration.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive form of brain cancer with a survival rate of 4-5% within 5 years. Treatments for GBM can be complex because the protective nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) impedes medication from moving into the brain. CBD can pass through the BBB and interact with endocannabinoid receptor sites in the brain.
A study published in 2022 by the Dental College of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia used inhaled CBD and reported a noted impact on GBM in an animal model. “We saw a significant reduction in the size of the tumor, and its microenvironment was different [after only 7 days of treatment],” noted Babak Baban, PhD, immunologist and Associate Dean for Research at the Dental College of Georgia (DCG) at Augusta University.
While the use of CBD and THC in GBM shows promise, further studies are needed to explore their therapeutic benefits and compatibility with existing therapies for GBM.
REFERENCES
CBD Reduces Glioblastoma Size, Supportive Environment in Model