Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most invasive and aggressive brain tumors with poor prognosis. Two factors play important roles in the development and progression of GBM: the highly complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and its interaction with tumor cells. Current standard therapies, including surgery, radiotherapy, and concomitant chemotherapy, are usually ineffective in managing GBM in patients and new therapeutic strategies targeting TME may be effective for fighting against GBM.
For the first time, a group of researchers tested whether CBD could inhibit GBM tumor growth in mice in the form of inhalation. They used optical imaging, histology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry to describe tumor progression, cancer cell signaling pathways, and the TME. The results showed that the inhalation of CBD was able to limit the tumor growth and also alter the dynamics of TME by blocking a key immune checkpoint - indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which is upregulated in malignancy and is associated with poor prognosis in multiple cancer types. In addition, CBD improved antigen presentation, promoted immune response, and reduced Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILC), which have emerged as crucial players in cancer growth and therapy.
This study supported the possible therapeutic role of inhaled CBD as an effective, relatively safe, and easier administrated adjunct treatment for GBM, warranting further research.
Reference:
Khodadadi, H. et al. Inhalant Cannabidiol Inhibits Glioblastoma Progression Through Regulation of Tumor Microenvironment. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (2021) doi:10.1089/can.2021.0098. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2021.0098
