Researchers searching for better ways to treat ovarian cancer have reported encouraging results from laboratory tests involving two marijuana compounds. According to a new study, both THC and CBD were able to slow the growth of ovarian cancer cells, and when used together, they were particularly effective at killing existing malignant cells.
The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, are still at an early stage and are limited to cell-based studies. However, scientists say the results point to a possible new direction for therapies targeting a disease that is often detected late and remains difficult to manage with current drugs.
CBD, which does not produce a psychoactive effect, and THC, which does, have previously shown anti-cancer activity in studies involving other tumor types. Based on that evidence, the research team examined how both substances affected ovarian cancer cells grown in the laboratory.
The scientists worked with two types of ovarian cancer cells. One was responsive to platinum-based chemotherapy, while the other was resistant to it. Each cell line was exposed separately to CBD, THC, and a combination of the two. Healthy cells were also included to assess potential toxicity.
Results showed that cancer cells treated with either compound produced fewer colonies and displayed reduced growth. The strongest effects were observed when CBD and THC were applied together. While each substance alone had a limited ability to kill cancer cells outright, their combined use led to a significant increase in cancer cell death. Researchers believe the compounds may act through different biological processes that reinforce each other when paired.
Further tests revealed that treated cancer cells were less able to move, an important finding since the spread of cancer to other organs is a leading cause of death in ovarian cancer patients. If confirmed in further studies, this could mean the compounds help limit metastasis.
Notably, both chemotherapy-sensitive and resistant cancer cells reacted in similar ways. Healthy cells showed little change, raising the possibility that treatments based on these compounds might be easier to tolerate than current options.
To understand how the effects occur, the researchers examined a key cellular signaling system known as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which is often overactive in ovarian tumors. THC and CBD appeared to bring this pathway back under control, reducing cancer cell growth and survival.
Despite the promising data, researchers caution that extensive additional studies are required. Animal testing and clinical trials will be necessary to determine safety, dosage, and real-world effectiveness. For now, the findings offer a potential foundation for future therapies aimed at improving outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer.
These findings come at a time when reports show President Trump is considering using an executive order to shift marijuana from Schedule I to III of the CSA. The wider marijuana industry, including enterprises like SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), welcomes these positive developments that could help to support efforts to reform drug policies around the world.
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