According to a new study published in BMC Cancer, “CBD demonstrated significant anticancer effects, including induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, suppression of metastasis, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment.”
“Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, posing significant challenges due to its heterogeneity and the emergence of drug resistance”, states the study’s abstract. “Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from Cannabis sativa, has recently gained attention for its potential therapeutic effects in breast cancer.”
With that in mind, this study “aims to evaluate the antitumor effects of CBD in breast cancer treatment by synthesizing preclinical and clinical evidence, elucidating its mechanisms of action, and exploring its translational potential.”
Conducted by researchers from Gerash University of Medical Sciences and Fasa University of Medical Sciences in Iran, a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, using keywords such as “Cannabidiol,” “CBD,” “Breast Cancer,” “Therapeutic Agent,” and “Antitumor Effects.” A total of 1,191 articles were initially identified. After duplicate removal and eligibility screening, 34 studies published between 1998 and 2025 were selected, including in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations.
Studies were assessed based on PRISMA recommendations, considering inclusion criteria such as CBD’s impact on apoptosis, cell proliferation, tumor progression, and molecular mechanisms.
“CBD demonstrated significant anticancer effects, including induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, suppression of metastasis, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment”, states the study’s researchers. “Mechanistically, CBD modulates key pathways such as PI3K/Akt, mTOR, and PPARγ and interacts with CB1, CB2, and non-cannabinoid receptors.”
Researchers note that “Preclinical studies showed CBD’s efficacy, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), while limited clinical trials highlighted its potential as an adjunct to conventional therapies.”
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