In human cell culture models, cannabidiol and cannabis extracts reduced the cancer-killing effects of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs by decreasing how much drug got into cancer cells.
Oncologists, pharmacologists, cancer patients using cannabinoids
Even low cannabinoid concentrations reduced platinum drug accumulation in cancer cells
What the researchers found
Even low concentrations of cannabinoids reduced the toxicity of cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and carboplatin in human cell cultures. The mechanism was not transcriptional but involved reduced intracellular platinum accumulation, suggesting cannabinoids impair cellular transport or retention of these drugs. This raises the possibility that cannabinoids used to counter chemotherapy side effects could simultaneously reduce chemotherapy effectiveness.
Why it matters
Many cancer patients use cannabinoids to manage chemotherapy side effects like nausea. If cannabinoids reduce how much chemotherapy drug reaches cancer cells, the very relief they provide could come at the cost of treatment effectiveness.
The numbers in context
Three platinum drugs tested: cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin; even low cannabinoid concentrations reduced platinum toxicity; trace metal analysis showed decreased intracellular platinum accumulation
How the study worked
Preclinical study using human cell culture models. Cancer cells were treated with platinum-based drugs with and without CBD or cannabis extracts. Platinum adduct formation, molecular markers, trace metal analysis, and transcriptional profiling were used to determine the mechanism of interaction.
What this study cannot tell us
Cell culture models do not account for whole-body pharmacokinetics. Concentrations tested may not reflect those achieved with typical human cannabis use. Did not test whether timing of cannabinoid and chemotherapy dosing affects the interaction.
How to read the evidence
Mechanistically rigorous cell culture study with multiple platinum drugs tested, but in vitro findings need clinical validation.
When this study was published
Published 2023
The bigger picture
This preclinical finding raises an important clinical question: should cancer patients using platinum-based chemotherapy be counseled about potential interactions with cannabis products, even those used for symptom management?
Questions still open
- Do clinically relevant cannabinoid concentrations produce the same effect in patients? Could timing cannabinoid use separately from chemotherapy avoid this interaction?
Common questions
Can cannabis interfere with chemotherapy?
How did cannabinoids reduce chemotherapy effectiveness?
Read the original research
Cannabis-derived products antagonize platinum drugs by altered cellular transport.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 163, 114801
Citation
Buchtova, Tereza; Beresova, Lucie; Chroma, Katarina; Pluhacek, Tomas; Beres, Tibor; Kaczorova, Dominika; Tarkowski, Petr; Bartek, Jiri; Mistrik, Martin. (2023). Cannabis-derived products antagonize platinum drugs by altered cellular transport.. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 163, 114801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114801
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