A study published by the Asian Journal of Urology reports that certain marijuana-derived extracts including CBC and THC may have meaningful anti-cancer effects against bladder cancer cells, including the ability to slow cell migration and trigger cancer cell death. The research was conducted by scientists from Bar-Ilan University and Tel Aviv University in Israel, along with collaborators from the Cleveland Clinic.
Researchers evaluated extracts from three commercially available Cannabis sativa strains—PARIS, Dairy Queen, and super cannabidiol—focusing on their effects against urothelial carcinoma (UC), the most common form of bladder cancer. The team analyzed how these extracts affected cancer cells grown in standard two-dimensional cultures as well as three-dimensional ex vivo organ cultures designed to more closely mimic human tissue.
Using XTT assays, the researchers found that all three extracts reduced cancer cell viability at relatively similar concentrations. PARIS showed a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 21.58 μg/mL, while Dairy Queen and super cannabidiol demonstrated slightly stronger effects, with IC50 values of 17.99 μg/mL and 17.88 μg/mL, respectively, after 48 hours of exposure. Chemical analysis confirmed that all three extracts contained varying levels of cannabichromene and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
Beyond reducing cell viability, the Dairy Queen and super cannabidiol extracts significantly limited cancer cell migration and altered cell cycle progression, increasing the proportion of cells stalled in the S and G2/M phases. In ex vivo organ cultures, treatment led to increased expression of apoptosis-related genes, indicating active cancer cell death.
“The findings suggest that C. sativa strains PARIS, DQ, and sCBD, containing CBC and THC, exhibit significant anticancer activity against UC cell lines and ex vivo models”, concludes the study. “These results underscore the therapeutic potential of CBC- and THC-rich C. sativa extracts in bladder cancer treatment.”
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