A new study published by Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry found that cannabidiol (CBD) may enhance the effects of the cancer drug olaparib in certain breast cancer models, particularly triple-negative breast cancer.
Researchers from Yeditepe University examined whether CBD could improve the response of BRCA-wild type breast cancer cells to olaparib, a PARP inhibitor commonly used in cancers with BRCA mutations. Because olaparib is often less effective in BRCA-wild type tumors, the study focused on whether CBD could increase its anticancer activity.
The research evaluated olaparib and CBD alone and in combination using multiple breast cancer cell models, including MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells, MCF-7 estrogen receptor-positive cells, and HCC-70 triple-negative breast cancer spheroids.
The study found that the combination of CBD and olaparib reduced cancer cell viability more than either treatment alone in several models, with the strongest responses seen in three-dimensional spheroid models. In MDA-MB-231 cells, the combination produced a modest synergistic effect, increased apoptosis and led to G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. The combination also reduced the expression of several genes tied to DNA repair and cell cycle progression, including ATM, ATR, BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51 and multiple CDK genes.
The findings were less consistent in MCF-7 cells, where researchers observed an antagonistic interaction and a weaker apoptotic response, highlighting that the effects may depend heavily on cancer subtype and molecular background.
Researchers concluded by stating:
Our findings demonstrate a statistically significant, albeit small, advantage for adjunctive CBD over placebo for total, positive, and general symptoms in schizophrenia. The lack of effect on negative symptoms suggests a targeted mechanism. Given the consistency across studies, adjunctive CBD is a promising option for specific symptom clusters, but its clinical impact requires confirmation in larger trials.
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