A new preclinical study published in Phytomedicine found that cannabidiol (CBD) may have potential as an adjunct treatment for non-small cell lung cancer, including by enhancing the effects of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel.
The study, conducted by researchers from Kyung Hee University and the National University of Singapore, examined CBD’s effects on human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines and in a mouse tumor model. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for roughly 85% of lung cancer cases and is often diagnosed at advanced stages, making new treatment approaches an area of continued research.
Researchers treated A549, PC9 and H1299 lung cancer cells with CBD, alone and in combination with paclitaxel. They found that CBD reduced the viability of cancer cells while showing less toxicity in normal lung fibroblasts.
The study found that CBD helped trigger apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, as well as autophagy, a process in which cells break down and recycle damaged components. Researchers also found that CBD suppressed STAT3 and NF-κB signaling, two pathways tied to cancer cell survival, inflammation, immune evasion and resistance to therapy.
According to the study, CBD reduced both ongoing activation of these pathways and activation induced by IL-6, an inflammatory signaling molecule. When combined with paclitaxel, CBD appeared to strengthen the chemotherapy drug’s anti-cancer effects by further increasing apoptosis and autophagy while suppressing STAT3 and NF-κB activity.
Researchers also tested CBD in a xenograft mouse model. CBD treatment significantly reduced tumor growth without affecting body weight, while the combination of CBD and paclitaxel produced the strongest tumor-suppressing effect. Tumor tissue analysis showed reduced levels of phosphorylated STAT3 and p65, decreased Ki-67, a marker of cell proliferation, and increased markers associated with cancer cell death.
The researchers concluded that their findings provide preclinical evidence that CBD “exerts potent anti-tumor activity” in non-small cell lung cancer by inhibiting oncogenic signaling and activating programmed cell death pathways. They said the results support CBD’s potential as an adjuvant in lung cancer treatment.
However, the findings remain preclinical, meaning they were based on cell and animal models rather than human patients. Additional research, including clinical trials, would be needed to determine whether CBD is safe and effective as part of lung cancer treatment in humans.
Sponsors:
