Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cancer Management
1
Adelaide Campus, Torrens University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
2
NICM Health Research Centre, Western Sydney University, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
3
Releaf Group Ltd., St Kilda, VIC 3182, Australia
4
International College of Cannabinoid Medicine, iccm.co, London N1 7GU, UK
Academic Editors: Grace K. Dy and Aamir Ahmad
Cancers 2022, 14(4), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14040885
Received: 6 January 2022
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Revised: 28 January 2022
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Accepted: 5 February 2022
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Published: 10 February 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Management of Cancer)
Simple Summary
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main constituents of the plant Cannabis sativa. Surveys suggest that medicinal cannabis is popular amongst people diagnosed with cancer. CBD is one of the key constituents of cannabis, and does not have the potentially intoxicating effects that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the other key phytocannabinoid has. Research indicates the CBD may have potential for the treatment of cancer, including the symptoms and signs associated with cancer and its treatment. Preclinical research suggests CBD may address many of the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of cancers. Preclinical and clinical research also suggests some evidence of efficacy, alone or in some cases in conjunction with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the other key phytocannabinoid in cannabis), in treating cancer-associated pain, anxiety and depression, sleep problems, nausea and vomiting, and oral mucositis that are associated with cancer and/or its treatment. Studies also suggest that CBD may enhance orthodox treatments with chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy and protect against neural and organ damage. CBD shows promise as part of an integrative approach to the management of cancer.
The plant Cannabis sativa has been in use medicinally for several thousand years. It has over 540 metabolites thought to be responsible for its therapeutic effects. Two of the key phytocannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike THC, CBD does not have potentially intoxicating effects. Preclinical and clinical research indicates that CBD has a wide range of therapeutic effects, and many of them are relevant to the management of cancer. In this article, we explore some of the potential mechanisms of action of CBD in cancer, and evidence of its efficacy in the integrative management of cancer including the side effects associated with its treatment, demonstrating its potential for integration with orthodox cancer care.
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Keywords:
cannabidiol; cannabis; endocannabinoid system; cancer; tumours
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MDPI and ACS Style
O’Brien, K. Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cancer Management. Cancers 2022, 14, 885. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14040885
AMA Style
O’Brien K. Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cancer Management. Cancers. 2022; 14(4):885. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14040885
Chicago/Turabian StyleO’Brien, Kylie. 2022. "Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cancer Management" Cancers 14, no. 4: 885. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14040885
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