Inhaled CBD reduces size of glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, in an animal model.
In recent times, CBD has gained a lot of attention among the health community for treating a wide variety of illnesses. Earlier this year, researchers reported the case of an 80-year-old cancer patient whose tumor drastically reduced after using CBD (cannabidiol) oil. Many animal studies have also demonstrated the cannabis product’s anti-cancer properties. Recently, an experimental model assessed the use of inhaled CBD in an animal model of the brain tumor glioblastoma. Results of the study are available in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive brain cancer in adults. Treatment includes surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Although surgical removal increases survival, the effects are short-lived as the tumor has an extremely high recurrence rate. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective treatment options.
It’s probably one of the most aggressive cancers period. We are in desperate need of research and more treatments. What we have right now is not working very well.
Dr. Martin Rutkowski, study author
CBD Alters Tumor’s Microenvironment
The researchers used modified glioblastoma cells from humans to create an orthotopic glioblastoma model. Once the brains of the mice developed the tumor, researchers started giving daily doses of inhaled CBD for seven days. Whereas a control group received a placebo. Using imaging, histology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry, the team then analyzed the tumor’s progression. Additionally, the study also looked at CBD’s effect on various cancer cell signalling pathways and tumor microenvironment.
According to the results, inhaled CBD not only reduced the size of the brain tumor but also altered its microenvironment that typically supports tumor growth. Moreover, it suppressed proteins and key immune checkpoints that play a role in causing the tumor’s spread and growth rate.
We saw a significant reduction in the size of the tumor and its microenvironment was different.
Dr. Babak Baban, study author
Recently, U.K. researchers initiated the world’s first human trial of a CBD spray for brain cancer therapy. The success of various animal and human studies provide increasing evidence of the cannabis compound’s anti-cancer properties.
Reference:
Hesam Khodadadi et al, Inhalant Cannabidiol Inhibits Glioblastoma Progression Through Regulation of Tumor Microenvironment, Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (2021). DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0098
