Study: CBD has Direct Antineoplastic Effects on Lung Cancer Cells

Cannabidiol (CBD) has “direct antineoplastic [cancer treating] effects on lung cancer cells”, according to a new study being published in the upcoming issue of the Iranian Biomedical Journal.

The study was epublished ahead of print on the website for the U.S. National Institute of Health.

“Lung cancer remains a major factor contributing to morbidity and mortality worldwide”, states the study’s abstract. “Apart from the chemotherapeutic agents in routine use, factors targeting novel molecular pathways are in clinical trials and provide hope for terminal lung cancer patients.”

Researchers note that the endocannabinoid system has recently become a popular field of study, with many experimental studies showing that CBD and THC could be used outside of palliative care, as they play a major role in lung cancer cell apoptosis. The objective of this study was to “evaluate the antitumorigenic mechanisms of CBD in lung cancer cells.”

For the study researchers searched the databases MEDLINE, clinicaltrials.gov, CENTRAL, and google scholar using specific terms. A total of 246 studies were screened, and nine studies were included in the review.

“All the selected studies were conducted in vitro, and four of which also had an in vivo component. Included studies were assessed in our review using the ToxRTool.”

According to the study’s authors, the most common cell line used in all of the studies was A549; however, some studies included other cell lines, including H460 and H358.

“We concluded that CBD has direct antineoplastic effects on lung cancer cells by various mechanisms mediated by cannabinoid receptors or independent of them”, states the study. “All studies referred to an in vitro model; hence, further research is required for this data to have any clinical application.”

You can find more information on this study by clicking here, and you can find the full abstract of the study below.

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer remains a major factor contributing to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Apart from the chemotherapeutic agents in routine use, factors targeting novel molecular pathways are in clinical trials and provide hope for terminal lung cancer patients. The endocannabinoid system has recently become a popular field of study. Many experimental studies have shown that CBD and THC could be used outside of palliative care, as they play a major role in lung cancer cell apoptosis. The objective of this review is to evaluate the antitumorigenic mechanisms of CBD in lung cancer cells.

Methods: We searched the databases MEDLINE, clinicaltrials.gov, CENTRAL, and google scholar using specific terms. A total of 246 studies were screened, and nine studies were included in the review. All the selected studies were conducted in vitro, and four of which also had an in vivo component. Included studies were assessed in our review using the ToxRTool.

Results and conclusion: The most common cell line used in all of the studies was A549; however, some studies included other cell lines, including H460 and H358. We concluded that CBD has direct antineoplastic effects on lung cancer cells by various mechanisms mediated by cannabinoid receptors or independent of them. All studies referred to an in vitro model; hence, further research is required for this data to have any clinical application.

 

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