A study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology suggested that cannabis products could be used to combat ovarian cancer. A research team tested the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidinol (CBD) on ovarian cancer cells and observed potential anti-cancer effects. Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest gynecological diseases, and current treatment options are limited.
The researchers focused on two different lines of ovarian cancer cells. One line of cancer cells is sensitive to platinum-derived drugs. The other line is resistant to such drug applications. The researchers treated the cancer cell lines with CBD, THC, or both. They also treated a line of healthy cells to see if the cannabinoids would damage them. The objective was to see if the cells could survive and reproduce after exposure to CBD and THC.
Data analysis revealed that cells of both cancer lines treated with CBD or THC formed fewer and smaller cell colonies. While both compounds worked to minimize cancer cell reproduction, the combination of THC and CBD demonstrated greater effectiveness. Neither CBD nor THC alone killed a large proportion of cancer cells, but the combination of CBD and THC was highly effective. This inhibitory effect was most noticeable when the researchers used a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio. Additional assays indicated that the compounds prevented cell migration, suggesting that the 1:1 ratio formulation might prevent ovarian cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
To understand the mechanism behind these anti-cancer effects, the scientists looked at cell signaling pathways. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is overactivated in ovarian cancer cells, contributing to tumor development and treatment resistance. The CBD and THC compounds have a restorative effect on the normal regulation of the pathway and could explain why these compounds hinder cancer cell reproduction.
The study lays the groundwork for further research on how cannabinoids promote anti-cancer activity and key molecular mechanisms. New ovarian cancer therapies could offer effective treatment without the toxicity associated with existing cancer approaches.
Sources: Eureka News Alert, Frontiers in Pharmacology