Non-psychoactive cannabinoids show anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects against ovarian cancer in preclinical studies, with excellent tolerability at high doses.
Gynecologic oncologists, cancer researchers, and cannabinoid pharmacology scientists.
Non-psychoactive focuson cannabinoids that show anti-cancer effects without psychoactive side effects, with high-dose tolerability in trials
What the researchers found
Non-psychoactive cannabinoids can induce cancer cell death and inhibit proliferation through various mechanisms, and clinical trials show cannabinoids are well tolerated at high doses without typical chemotherapy side effects.
Why it matters
Ovarian cancer treatment options remain limited. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids could offer anti-cancer effects without the side effects of conventional chemotherapy or the psychoactive effects of THC.
The numbers in context
Not quantified in abstract; review summarizes preclinical results across multiple studies of non-psychoactive cannabinoids in ovarian cancer.
How the study worked
Narrative review of preclinical research on cannabinoids, particularly non-psychoactive compounds, in ovarian and gynecological cancer treatment.
Who was studied
Not applicable (review of preclinical ovarian cancer research).
What this study cannot tell us
Almost entirely preclinical evidence. Ovarian cancer-specific data is limited. Translation from cell studies to clinical use is uncertain.
How to read the evidence
Narrative review of primarily preclinical evidence; clinical application remains speculative.
When this study was published
Recent review of emerging preclinical evidence.
The bigger picture
This review identifies non-psychoactive cannabinoids as a potentially under-explored avenue for ovarian cancer treatment that avoids both the side effects of chemotherapy and the psychoactive effects that limit THC-based approaches.
Replication
Preclinical review; clinical trials needed.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- Which specific non-psychoactive cannabinoids are most effective against ovarian cancer?
- When will clinical trials begin for cannabinoids in ovarian cancer?
Read the original research
Could cannabinoids provide a new hope for ovarian cancer patients?
Pharmacology research & perspectives, 11(4), e01122
Citation
Kaur, Rimanee; Javid, Farideh A. (2023). Could cannabinoids provide a new hope for ovarian cancer patients?. Pharmacology research & perspectives, 11(4), e01122. https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.1122