A new study published in Biomed Pharmacotherapy finds that cannabidivarin (CBDV), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, may have significant potential as an immunotherapy agent for cancer.
Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology found that CBDV directly reprograms myeloid suppressor cells, which are key drivers of immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. These cells, including Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) and Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs), are linked to poor patient outcomes and resistance to treatment.
The study showed that CBDV reduced immunosuppressive markers such as inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) and Arginase-1 (Arg-1) in MDSCs, while shifting TAMs into a more pro-inflammatory, M1-like state. This reprogramming restored CD8+ T-cell proliferation and activation, helping to reinvigorate the immune system’s ability to fight tumors.
In tumor-bearing mice, CBDV treatment led to reduced tumor progression and an improved anti-tumor immune response. The findings were also validated in human-derived myeloid cells, confirming the cannabinoid’s clinical relevance.
According to the researchers, the results establish CBDV as a promising immunotherapeutic option, capable of neutralizing the suppressive effects of myeloid cells and enhancing cancer immunotherapy outcomes.
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