Cannabinoids, Medical Cannabis, and Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem. Unfortunately, currently, no effective curative option exists for this type of malignancy. The most promising cancer treatment nowadays is immunotherapy which is also called biological or targeted therapy. This type of therapy boosts the patient's immune system ability to fight the malignant tumor. However, cancer cells may become resistant to immunotherapy and escape immune surveillance by obtaining genetic alterations. Therefore, new treatment strategies are required. In the recent decade, several reports suggest the effectiveness of cannabinoids and Cannabis sativa extracts for inhibiting cancer proliferation in vitro and in vivo, including intestinal malignancies. Cannabinoids were shown to modulate the pathways involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, programmed cell death and metastasis. Because of that, they are proposed as adjunct therapy for many malignancies. By far less information exists on the potential of the use of cannabis in combination with immunotherapy. Here, we explore the possibility of the use of cannabinoids for modulation of immunotherapy of colon cancer and discuss possible advantages and limitations.

Immunotherapy and Cannabis: A Harmful Drug Interaction or Reefer Madness?

“…There has been appreciable work focused on anti-cancer activity of cannabinoids, including possible use in potentiating immunotherapy [46][47][48][49][50]. Cannabonoids, including cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD), and tetrahydrocannabinol, have been shown, in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and metastasis, while also promoting apoptosis and suppressing cancer-related angiogenesis [47][48][49]. Cannabinoids may also play a positive role in regulating aberrant cellular metabolism characteristic of cancer [50].…”

“…In balancing the benefits and harms of cannabis for cancer patients [1,2,39], a broader perspective is useful. There has been appreciable work focused on anti-cancer activity of cannabinoids, including possible use in potentiating immunotherapy [46][47][48][49][50]. Cannabonoids, including cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD), and tetrahydrocannabinol, have been shown, in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and metastasis, while also promoting apoptosis and suppressing cancer-related angiogenesis [47][48][49].…”

The Prognostic and therapeutic value and clinical implications of fibroblast activation protein-α as a novel biomarker in colorectal cancer

“…CRC is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide [ 3 ]. The risk factors for CRC are inappropriate diet, obesity, tobacco consumption [ 4 ], Gastrointestinal (GI) tract chronic inflammation, and genetic predisposition [ 5 ]. The survival of CRC patients has recently been elevated due to the screening methods in developed countries; however, 25% of patients represent stage IV at the diagnosis.…”

Controversial Link between Cannabis and Anticancer Treatments—Where Are We and Where Are We Going? A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Cannabinoids have been proven to be useful in the treatment of diseases such as gastric cancer [ 65 ], colorectal cancer [ 66 ], leukemia [ 67 ], and Sézary syndrome [ 68 ], according to some research. Moreover, the majority of cannabis and cannabinoid use in cancer patients has been for palliative care [ 69 ].…”