Currently, cannabis has been proven to be effective in treating certain types of cancer, with glioblastoma (GBM) being a prime example. GBM is the most common primary tumor of the central nervous system.
GBM is a highly aggressive form of cancer. These tumors are characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, leading to rapid tumor growth and subsequent necrosis in the brain. Typically, the prognosis for patients with GBM is poor, and the disease is often incurable. However, scientists have discovered that the molecular mechanisms of cannabinoid receptors seem to play a role in this condition.
The most studied effect of cannabinoids on the pathophysiology of GBM is their ability to inhibit tumor growth. Cannabinoids can alter the balance between ceramide and dihydroceramide in autophagosomes and autolysosomes, promoting the permeabilization of organelle membranes and the release of cathepsins into the cytoplasm. In addition to ceramide-induced cancer cell death, cannabinoids can also trigger apoptosis through oxidative stress. The combined treatment of CBD with other components significantly increases ROS (reactive oxygen species, which are products of aerobic cellular metabolism), leading to cell apoptosis.
Apart from their direct cytotoxic effects, cannabinoids can also induce cell cycle arrest, thereby inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. CBD treatment of GBM cells increases the population of cells in the G0-G1 and G2-GM phases while reducing the number of cells in the S phase.
Therefore, the tumor-specific cell inhibitory/cytotoxic effects of cannabinoids and CBD hold significant importance for the treatment of GBM.