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Cannabis compounds inhibited the growth of ovarian cancer cells in a laboratory study, according to the results of recent research. A report on the research was published this month in Frontiers in Pharmacology, a peer-reviewed journal that explores the interactions between chemicals and living beings.
The study found that delta-9 THC and CBD could each stop ovarian cancer cells from reproducing, while a combination of the two cannabinoids could kill existing cancer cells. The researchers say more study is needed, but the study’s findings could lead to new therapies for ovarian cancer that are less toxic and more effective than existing options.
“Ovarian cancer remains one of the deadliest gynecological malignancies, characterized by late diagnosis, high recurrence rates, and limited effective treatment options,” Dr. Siyao Tong of Khon Kaen University, lead author of the article, told Frontiers Science News. “Our goal is to find alternative drugs that can improve efficacy and potentially reduce toxicity, ultimately bringing new hope to patients facing this challenging disease.”
Both THC and CBD have shown promising results as a potential treatment for other cancers in previous research. With new options to treat gynecological cancers needed, the team of Thai and Chinese researchers behind the new study decided to investigate the cannabinoids as a possible treatment for ovarian cancer.
To complete the study, the researchers used two ovarian cancer cell lines, one sensitive to platinum-based drugs and the other resistant to them. They then administered THC, CBD, or both and determined if the cells could survive and reproduce after exposure to the cannabinoids. The investigators also challenged a line of healthy cells with the compounds to determine whether they were damaged by the cannabinoids.
Both THC and CBD Inhibited Ovarian Cancer Cell Growth
The researchers determined that cells from both cancer lines produced fewer and smaller colonies of cells when treated with THC or CBD. Both compounds individually prevented cancer cells from reproducing. The researchers observed a more significant effect, however, when the two cannabinoids were combined.
Neither CBD nor THC alone killed a large proportion of cancer cells. When used in combination, however, the compounds were highly effective at killing cancer cells. The researchers hypothesize that THC and CBD act on cancer cells in different ways, and that their effects are amplified when used together.
“Notably, the inhibitory effect was most pronounced when CBD and THC were used in a 1:1 ratio,” said Tong.
Different experiments showed that THC and CBD prevented cells from migrating, suggesting that the cannabinoids may stop ovarian cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Known as metastases, such spreading of cancer throughout the body is a significant cause of death among patients with the disease.
The research showed that both lines of cells were affected by THC and CBD similarly, suggesting that the cannabinoids may be effective against different types of ovarian cancer. The compounds also had minimal effects on healthy cells, leading the research team to call for more study that could one day yield new and effective treatments for ovarian cancer.
“Although our study is still preliminary, it lays an important foundation for future research into the potential applications of CBD and THC in ovarian cancer treatment,” said Tong. “By confirming their anti-cancer activity and identifying key molecular mechanisms, our findings are expected to drive further preclinical research. If future studies confirm these effects, CBD-THC combination therapy may ultimately contribute to the development of new treatment strategies.”
“However, this study has some limitations,” Tong added. “All experiments were conducted in vitro, so the results may not fully reflect the complexity of tumor behavior in living organisms. We did not include in vivo models and pharmacokinetic data, which are crucial for determining whether CBD/THC can be safely and effectively used clinically. Finally, regulatory and legal issues surrounding cannabinoid therapy may also affect future translational research. While the results are encouraging, more studies are needed before these findings can be applied to patient treatment.”
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