CBD for Brain Cancer

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most aggressive cancer that begins within the brain. Signs and symptoms of glioblastoma are initially non-specific. They may include headaches, personality changes, nausea, and symptoms similar to those of a stroke. Worsening of symptoms is often rapid. This can progress to unconsciousness.

There is no clear way to prevent the disease. Typically treatment involves surgery after which chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used. The medication temozolomide is frequently used as part of chemotherapy. High dose steroids may be used to help reduce swelling and decrease symptoms.

Evidence suggests that the nonpsychotropic cannabis-derived compound, cannabidiol (CBD), has antineoplastic activity in multiple types of cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Local administration of THC-, CBD- or a mixture (1:1 w:w) of THC- and CBD-loaded microparticles every 5 days to mice bearing glioma xenografts reduced tumour growth with the same efficacy than a daily local administration of the equivalent amount of those cannabinoids in solution. Moreover, treatment with cannabinoid-loaded microparticles enhanced apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation and angiogenesis in these tumours.

Sources

Quantitative Analyses of Synergistic Responses between Cannabidiol and DNA-Damaging Agents on the Proliferation and Viability of Glioblastoma and Neural Progenitor Cells in Culture. 2017

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of non-psychoactive cannabidiol in neuroblastoma. 2016

Local delivery of cannabinoid-loaded microparticles inhibits tumor growth in a murine xenograft model of glioblastoma multiforme. 2013

Spontaneous regression of septum pellucidum/forniceal pilocytic astrocytomas–possible role of Cannabis inhalation. 2011

Cannabinoid and cannabinoid-like receptors in microglia, astrocytes, and astrocytomas. 2010

Molecular mechanisms involved in the antitumor activity of cannabinoids on gliomas: role for oxidative stress. 2010

Cannabinoids inhibit glioma cell invasion by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression. 2008

Cannabinoids and gliomas. 2007

Targeting astrocytomas and invading immune cells with cannabinoids: a promising therapeutic avenue. 2007

Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits cell cycle progression by downregulation of E2F1 in human glioblastoma multiforme cells. 2008

Down-regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in gliomas: a new marker of cannabinoid antitumoral activity? 2008

Medicinal cannabis does not influence the clinical pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and docetaxel. 2007

Endocannabinoids as emerging suppressors of angiogenesis and tumor invasion (review). 2007

Hypothesis: cannabinoid therapy for the treatment of gliomas? 2004