CBD targets liver cancer through multiple pathways including enhancing sorafenib
A review of 16 studies found CBD fought liver cancer cells through apoptosis, autophagy, and metastasis suppression, and enhanced the effectiveness of the standard drugs sorafenib and cabozantinib.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
CBD induced pyroptosis (inflammatory cell death) via caspase-3/GSDME, modulated autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and sensitized liver cancer cells to both sorafenib and cabozantinib.
Key Numbers
16 studies included. CBD mechanisms: pyroptosis via caspase-3/GSDME, autophagy via PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition, chemosensitization to sorafenib and cabozantinib. Clinical studies remain limited.
How They Did This
Systematic review searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar through March 2025, identifying 16 relevant studies including in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations of CBD in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Why This Research Matters
Liver cancer is a major global cause of cancer death with limited treatment options. Sorafenib resistance is common, so finding that CBD can resensitize cancer cells to this drug addresses a critical clinical problem.
The Bigger Picture
Drug resistance is the primary reason liver cancer treatments fail. CBD's ability to enhance standard therapies while independently attacking tumors through multiple pathways makes it a candidate for combination therapy research.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Predominantly preclinical evidence. CBD's known potential for hepatotoxicity is a particular concern for liver cancer applications. Bioavailability challenges may limit achievable tumor concentrations.
Questions This Raises
- ?Can CBD be safely used in patients with compromised liver function?
- ?What formulation would overcome CBD's bioavailability limitations for liver-targeted therapy?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CBD sensitized liver cancer cells to both sorafenib and cabozantinib
- Evidence Grade:
- Systematic review of mostly preclinical studies. Promising mechanistic evidence but limited clinical data and specific safety concerns for liver applications.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025, literature through March 2025.
- Original Title:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential therapeutic agent for liver cancer: a comprehensive review of current evidence.
- Published In:
- Cancer cell international, 25(1), 215 (2025)
- Authors:
- Esmaeli, Mojtaba(4), Dehghanpour Dehabadi, Maryam(4)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06415
Evidence Hierarchy
Analyzes all available research on a topic using a structured method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Could CBD help treat liver cancer?
Lab studies show CBD can kill liver cancer cells and enhance standard drug effectiveness. However, CBD's known potential for liver toxicity raises safety concerns that need careful study before clinical use.
How might CBD help with drug-resistant liver cancer?
CBD was found to sensitize liver cancer cells to sorafenib and cabozantinib, potentially overcoming the drug resistance that causes most liver cancer treatments to eventually fail.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06415APA
Esmaeli, Mojtaba; Dehghanpour Dehabadi, Maryam. (2025). Cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential therapeutic agent for liver cancer: a comprehensive review of current evidence.. Cancer cell international, 25(1), 215. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-025-03870-3
MLA
Esmaeli, Mojtaba, et al. "Cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential therapeutic agent for liver cancer: a comprehensive review of current evidence.." Cancer cell international, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-025-03870-3
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential therapeutic agent for liver..." RTHC-06415. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/esmaeli-2025-cannabidiol-cbd-as-a
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.