Can Cannabidiol Affect the Efficacy of Chemotherapy and Epigenetic Treatments in Cancer?

Abstract

The success of cannabinoids with chronic neuropathic pain and anxiety has been demonstrated in a multitude of studies. With the high availability of a non-intoxicating compound, cannabidiol (CBD), an over-the-counter medication, has generated heightened interest in its use in the field of oncology. This review focuses on the widespread therapeutic potential of CBD with regard to enhanced wound healing, lowered toxicity profiles of chemotherapeutics, and augmented antitumorigenic effects. The current literature is sparse with regard to determining the clinically relevant concentrations of CBD given the biphasic nature of the compound’s response. Therefore, there is an imminent need for further dose-finding studies in order to determine the optimal dose of CBD for both intermittent and regular users. We address the potential influence of regular or occasional CBD usage on therapeutic outcomes in ovarian cancer patients. Additionally, as the development of chemoresistance in ovarian cancer results in treatment failure, the potential for CBD to augment the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic and epigenetic drugs is a topic of significant importance. Our review is focused on the widespread therapeutic potential of CBD and whether or not a synergistic role exists in combination with epigenetic and classic chemotherapy medications.

The molecular activity of cannabidiol in the regulation of Nrf2 system interacting with NF-κB pathway under oxidative stress

“…However, this requires further research to evaluate the effects of CBD on the Nrf2 pathway, especially with regard to regulatory RNAs, in different cell types and the same cell types but from different individuals, taking into account epigenetic factors. Therefore, recent studies have highlighted the anti-cancer potential of CBD in combination with chemotherapy, but also immunotherapy [ 140 ].…”

Pros and Cons of the Cannabinoid System in Cancer: Focus on Hematological Malignancies

“…In a different experiment, CP55940, a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the effects of naturally occurring THC, also induced cell death in Jurkat cells via a CBR-independent mechanism, but mediated by a H 2 O 2 signaling pathway. Remarkably, CP55940 showed a cytotoxic effect to ex vivo T-ALL cells obtained from chemotherapy-resistant subjects [157].…”

“…CBD administration also determined alterations on cell morphology, ER, and Golgi, thus reducing cell size and inducing vacuolation [153]. Therefore, CBs may increase intracellular stress and modify mitochondrial membrane potential, causing cytochrome c discharge and cleavage of caspases 8, 9, 2, and 10, up to cell death [150][151][152][153][157][158][159][160][161][162][163].…”

Synergistic Interactions of Cannabidiol with Chemotherapeutic Drugs in MCF7 Cells: Mode of Interaction and Proteomics Analysis of Mechanisms

“…CDB, and the endocannabinoid system in general, have long been studied for their potential to treat cancer. Unlike the psychoactive cannabinoids, CBD has a comparatively lower affinity to both CB1 and CB2 receptors [ 24 , 25 ]. Nevertheless, it has been reported to act as a CB1 antagonist in murine brain tissue and vas deferens, or as an inverse agonist in human CB2 receptors [ 24 , 26 ].…”