Category Archives: Cancer

Patterns and factors among oncology fellows recommending medical cannabis to adults with cancer

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“Background: Medical cannabis consumption is rising, but limited evidence informs the safety and efficacy of cannabis use in cancer patients. A national survey of oncology trainees found that most fellows felt insufficiently informed to make clinical recommendations about cannabis.

Aim: In this secondary analysis, we aimed to measure how frequently trainees recommend in favor of cannabis and determine factors influencing this clinical practice.

Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study for fellows enrolled in oncology training programs across the United States, an online survey assessing trainee practices regarding medical cannabis was sent to 155 oncology fellowship program directors from January – March 2021; who were asked to distribute it to their fellows. The primary outcome was the frequency with which oncology fellows recommended cannabis in the prior year.

Results: Nationally, 40 programs from 25 states participated, with 189 of 462 trainees across these programs responding (40.9% response rate). 22% (95% CI: 16.3-29.0%) of participants reported recommending medical cannabis to > 5 patients in the past year. 24% (95% CI: 18.4-30.5%) of participants had prior training in medical cannabis. Regarding participant characteristics, only prior training in medical cannabis was significantly associated with recommending cannabis to > 5 patients (RR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4-4.2).

Conclusions: With increasing cannabis use among patients with cancer and given that a substantial number of oncology fellows recommend its use, it is crucial that fellowship training incorporate evidence-based curricula regarding medical cannabis use to guide informed decision-making between patients and their fellow providers.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40660376/

“1 in 5 oncology fellows participating in our study recommended it to > 5 patients in the past year. Prior training in medical cannabis was the sole factor associated with higher rates of discussing and recommending its use to patients. Personalized, patient-centered care for cancer patients—and all patients—is mandatorily founded on understanding and articulating the best available evidence regarding treatment options.

Accordingly, as medical cannabis gains more widespread legal status and is increasingly considered and used by our patients, it will be of critical importance that contemporary fellowship training programs incorporate rigorous, up-to-date curricula on this subject so as to prepare their trainees to engage in well-informed discussions and shared decision-making with those for whom they care.”

https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-025-00293-9

Unveiling the Antioxidant Role of Hemp Oils in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

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“The global incidence of cancer continues to rise at an alarming rate, with annual cases projected to increase by 47% from 19.3 million in 2020 to 28.4 million by 2025.

Cannabis sativa L. was among the earliest plants investigated for potential anticancer therapies, due to its more than 100 bioactive constituents that confer notable antioxidant properties.

Hemp-derived extracts, particularly those rich in cannabidiol (CBD), exhibit notable synergistic biological effects, including the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, alongside the promotion of apoptosis.

These pharmacological attributes suggest that hemp oils may serve as promising alternatives or adjuncts to conventional chemotherapy, offering potential therapeutic benefits with a reduced risk of severe adverse effects.

This review discusses the current literature on hemp oils, with emphasis on their roles in cancer prevention, therapeutic efficacy, and potential toxicity in humans. Furthermore, it explores the various extraction methods employed in hemp oil production and examines their chemical compositions, offering a comprehensive understanding of the principal antioxidant constituents responsible for their bioactivity to the readers.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40647426/

“Cancer is strongly associated with oxidative stress induced by free radicals, which damage cellular components, leading to genetic mutations, the disruption of normal cellular functions, and the promotion of carcinogenesis.

Hemp oils, which are rich in natural antioxidants such as cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes, have been proposed as potential mediators to lessen oxidative stress and inhibit cancer progression by neutralizing free radicals and modulating biological pathways involved in cancer development.

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the antioxidant and anticancer properties of hemp oils, with a particular focus on their potential role in cancer prevention and treatment in humans. It also addresses extraction techniques, chemical composition, therapeutic applications, and the potential toxicological risks associated with their use.”

“Hemp oils contain a complex matrix of bioactive compounds including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids that act synergistically to exert antioxidant and anticancer effects. Mechanistic studies demonstrate their ability to reduce oxidative stress, induce apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, and target cancer stem-like cells.’

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/17/13/2128

Prevention of Allodynia and Hyperalgesia by Cannabidiol in a Rat Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

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“This study demonstrates the utility of a rat model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) to assess the ability of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) to modulate the development of this syndrome in vivo. The method utilizes the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel to generate an allodynic phenotype in the animals.

This study describes how to handle and solubilize CBD, administer the chemotherapeutic agent, assess mechanical and cold sensitivity, and apply high-speed videography to measure nocifensive behavior in animals.

Using the procedures outlined, the data support that CBD prevents the allodynic phenotype from developing in the treated animals. No difference was observed in the CBD-treated animals from day 0 (pre-paclitaxel baseline) to day 7 (post-sensitization) in mechanical or thermal sensitivity, while the vehicle-treated animals became significantly more sensitive.

This response to treatment is durable up to the latest time point where data were collected (7 weeks). The addition of high-speed videography allows for a more granular and unbiased assessment of this behavioral phenotype (e.g., classification of analgesia and anti-allodynia).

This demonstrates both the utility of this model for cannabinoid drug characterization and the potential role of CBD in mitigating neuropathic pain.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40622941/

“Co-administration of CBD with paclitaxel prevents the development of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in rats. This protocol describes cannabinoid handling, inducing an allodynic phenotype in rats via chemotherapeutic administration, assessing mechanical and thermal allodynia, and using high-speed videography to distinguish allodynia and hyperalgesia.”

https://app.jove.com/t/68079/prevention-allodynia-hyperalgesia-cannabidiol-rat-model-chemotherapy

Impact of minor cannabinoids on key pharmacological targets of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

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“Endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer has significantly improved over the last decades. However, it presents some limitations that make the search for novel therapeutic options mandatory.

Several studies have been conducted to understand the anti-tumor potential of cannabinoids in breast cancer. Yet, most of them are focused on the major phytocannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, Cannabis has other minor phytocannabinoids whose anti-cancer properties are still to be elucidated.

Here, we investigated the mechanisms of action of four minor cannabinoids, cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabichromene (CBC), in 2D and 3D ER+ breast cancer models.

These cannabinoids dysregulate MCF-7aro cell cycle progression, induce apoptosis by different mechanisms, and inhibit the growth of MCF-7aro spheroids. CBG exerts its effects through a down-regulation of both ER and AR protein levels, while CBDV reduces aromatase protein levels. CBN and CBC simultaneously affect the three targets, ER, aromatase, and AR.

In fact, CBN and CBC present an AR-dependent cell death, down-regulate aromatase levels, and act as ER negative regulators impairing cancer cell growth. CBN caused the most pronounced effects.

Overall, this study highlights the anti-cancer properties and the therapeutic potential of these minor cannabinoids in ER+ breast cancer.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40615070/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1388198125000666?via%3Dihub

Neutrophil extracellular traps and cannabinoids: potential in cancer metastasis

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“Cancer is the second leading cause of global mortality after cardiovascular diseases, with breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancers being the most common. WHO projects around 30 million new cancer cases worldwide by 2045, with breast cancer being the most common in women and lung cancer in men.

Metastasis is responsible for nearly 90% of cancer-related deaths. Breast and lung cancers tend to metastasize to the bones, lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and brain. Lungs remains one of the most common organs to which various forms of cancer metastasize.

An important factor in metastasis is NETosis – it can initially help to eliminate cancer cells, but it can also promote metastasis. Phytocannabinoids, compounds derived from Cannabis sativa, and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) offer promising therapeutic potential to inhibit NETosis and consequently cancer development and metastasis.

Although the precise effects of phytocannabinoids on neutrophil functions and NETosis are not fully understood and require further research in the context of cancer, preliminary studies suggest their potential to inhibit NET release in various disease models.

This review consolidates current knowledge and provides new insights into how phytocannabinoids and the ECS may serve as effective therapeutic tools to limit cancer metastasis.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40599866/

“Research indicates that metastatic progression is responsible for most deaths caused by breast cancer, with metastatic processes accounting for nearly 90% of cancer-related mortality.”

“Phytocannabinoids, together with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), represent a highly promising therapeutic avenue for attenuating neutrophil effector functions, particularly the process of NETosis.

We believe that these compounds have significant potential as agents capable of effectively inhibiting metastatic progression.

Phytocannabinoids, derived primarily from the Cannabis sativa plant, are a group of organic compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body.”

“Both phytocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) show significant therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. Research indicates that these agents affect the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasiveness of cancer cells. In addition, they modulate the tumor microenvironment, particularly the cells of the immune system.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1595913/full

Cannabinoids as Potential Therapeutic Agents in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

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“Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies, with limited therapeutic options and low survival rates, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis and resistance to conventional therapies. Recently, cannabinoids have gained attention for their analgesic and antiemetic properties in cancer symptom management, as well as for their potential anticancer effects. This review explores the mechanisms by which cannabinoids may impact pancreatic cancer progression, focusing on their molecular interactions and therapeutic potential.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40578954/

“Preclinical studies revealed that cannabinoids, primarily Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), exert anti-tumor effects through mechanisms such as apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis, immune modulation, and reduction of oxidative stress.”

“THC, the principal psychoactive cannabinoid, and CBD, a non-psychoactive counterpart, have both demonstrated pro-apoptotic properties in pancreatic cancer cells by inducing apoptosis”

“Studies have shown that THC and CBD can induce cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, limiting cancer cell division and tumor growth.”

“Taken together, these studies suggest that cannabinoids play anticancer roles in pancreatic cancer, and should be further studied for use as therapeutic agents in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.”

https://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/45/7/2719

Evaluating the Antitumor Potential of Cannabichromene, Cannabigerol, and Related Compounds from Cannabis sativa and Piper nigrum Against Malignant Glioma: An In Silico to In Vitro Approach

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“Malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are highly aggressive brain tumors with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options.

This study investigates the antitumor potential of bioactive compounds derived from Cannabis sativa and Piper nigrum using molecular docking, cell viability assays, and transcriptomic and expression analyses from public databases in humans and cell lines.

Cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD), and Piper nigrum derivates exhibited strong binding affinities relative to glioblastoma-associated targets GPR55 and PINK1.

In vitro analyses demonstrated their cytotoxic effects on glioblastoma cell lines (U87MG, T98G, and CCF-STTG1), as well as on neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and oligodendroglial (MO3.13) cell lines, revealing interactions among these compounds. The differential expression of GPR55 and PINK1 in tumor versus normal tissues further supports their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

These findings provide a basis for the development of novel therapies and suggest unexplored molecular pathways for the treatment of malignant glioma.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40565152/

“While docking studies suggest strong interactions between Piper nigrum derivatives, cannabinoids, and targets such as PINK1 and GPR55, in vitro experiments confirmed the cytotoxic potential of these compounds in glioblastoma cell lines, with cannabinoids like CBG and CBD showing significant dose-dependent reductions in cell viability, comparable to established chemotherapeutic agents.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/12/5688

Perceptions, Uses, and Information Sources of Medical Cannabis Among Patients With Cancer

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“Purpose: Although medical cannabis (MC) has been shown to relieve cancer- and treatment-related symptoms, there is increasing misinformation regarding its antitumor efficacy. We aimed to identify opportunities for oncologists to communicate evidence-based guidance to patients regarding its use.

Methods and materials: Patients with cancer seen in radiation oncology clinic between June 2022 and July 2023 were surveyed with a questionnaire regarding their perceptions and information sources of MC. Associations between survey responses and demographic and disease variables were evaluated. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed on narrative responses in search of common themes.

Results: Eighty-four patients (84% completion rate) were included in the analysis. Most (83.3%) strongly agreed or agreed that MC can provide symptom relief, whereas a subset of patients (15.5%) strongly agreed or agreed that MC can cure cancer. This latter subcohort was significantly more likely to identify as Hispanic/Latino (38.5% vs 9.9%, P = .009) and less likely to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations (30.8% vs 8.5%, P = 0.044). Identifying as Hispanic/Latino remained significantly associated with strongly agreeing or agreeing that MC can cure cancer on bivariate analysis (odds ratio, 6.528; 95% CI, 1.477-28.715; P = .012). Education level, other sociodemographic characteristics, and sources for information about MC were not significantly different between these patients. Thematic analysis revealed that patients hoped to learn more about MC from their oncologists but perceived them to be unknowledgeable on the subject.

Conclusions: Although most patients consider MC to be a valuable addition to conventional therapies for managing refractory symptoms, a subset believed it had potential as an anticancer therapy. Many patients rely on unregulated sources, highlighting the need for providers to address misinformation, bridge knowledge gaps, and clarify its use.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40546850/

“Most patients (83.3%) strongly agreed or agreed that MC can provide symptom relief for cancer and treatment-related symptoms, whereas 15.5% strongly agreed or agreed that MC can cure cancer.”

https://www.advancesradonc.org/article/S2452-1094(24)00241-0/fulltext

Cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential therapeutic agent for liver cancer: a comprehensive review of current evidence

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“Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality with limited treatment options. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from Cannabis sativa, has shown anticancer properties.

This review analyzes CBD’s therapeutic potential in HCC, focusing on mechanisms, preclinical/clinical findings, and integration into treatment strategies. A systematic search (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) up to March 2025 identified 16 relevant studies (in vitro, in vivo, clinical).

CBD exerts antitumor effects via multiple pathways, including apoptosis, autophagy regulation, metastasis suppression, and tumor microenvironment modulation. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), inhibits oncogenic signaling (PI3K/AKT/mTOR), and enhances chemotherapeutic efficacy (sorafenib, cabozantinib).

Studies show CBD induces pyroptosis via caspase-3/GSDME, and modulates autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. It also sensitizes HCC cells to sorafenib and cabozantinib. Preclinical results are promising, but clinical studies are limited. Challenges like bioavailability and potential hepatotoxicity require investigation. Future research should optimize formulations, determine dosing, and conduct clinical trials to validate CBD’s efficacy/safety in HCC patients.

Validated CBD could offer an innovative HCC management option.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40533744/

“Overall, while preclinical findings strongly support the therapeutic potential of CBD in HCC, robust clinical trials are urgently needed to confirm its efficacy, safety, optimal dosing strategies, and long-term effects. If validated, CBD could represent an innovative and complementary approach in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma.”

https://cancerci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12935-025-03870-3

Hemp-Derived Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications: Synthesis, Characterization, and Therapeutic Potential

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“Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerged as the most widely synthesized metal nanoparticles in sustainable chemistry due to their unique magnetic properties, excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity.

In this study, IONPs are successfully synthesized via a rapid, sustainable, and environmentally friendly green synthesis approach using Cannabis sativa L. leaf extract. X-ray diffraction analysis determined that the synthesized NPs had an average particle size of 18.8 nm, while transmission electron microscopy images reveal a spherical morphology with sizes ranging from 12 to 21 nm.

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, which are believed to play a crucial role in the formation and stabilization of IONPs. Its photocatalytic potential is demonstrated through the degradation of bromophenol blue dye.

Additionally, the NPs exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activity against various microbial species, along with promising anticancer effects on cancer cell lines.

In conclusion, this study provides a promising foundation for advancing the large-scale, commercial production of IONPs through green synthesis methods. By offering an eco-friendly and efficient alternative to conventional nanoparticle synthesis, the findings contribute significantly to the growing body of research in sustainable nanotechnology.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40525672/

“In this study, IONPs were successfully synthesized via a single-step green approach using C. sativa leaf extract as the sole reducing and stabilizing agent, eliminating the need for secondary chemicals. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of eco-friendly IONPs for biomedical and environmental applications, aligning with sustainable nanotechnology paradigms.”

https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/open.202500189