Does hemp cure cancer? 

Does cannabis really cure cancer, or is this just another marketing tactic to push hemp-based products? With the rise of CBD and other cannabis-derived compounds, many scientific claims suggest they can help fight cancer—but how much of this is backed by science?

Scientific studies have identified cannabinoids as active compounds that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, which regulates functions like inflammation, pain, and immune response. Research suggests that some cannabinoids such as CBD and CBDa may slow cancer progression by inhibiting tumor growth, reducing metastasis (spread), and even inducing cancer cell death (apoptosis). In laboratory and animal studies, cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBDa have demonstrated potential anti-cancer properties. 

CBDa, the raw precursor to CBD, has recently gained attention for its anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer effects. But is there enough scientific evidence to support its use, or is it just another wellness trend? In this article, we’ll separate fact from fiction and look at the possible roles of CBDa in cancer treatment as reported from research papers. 

What does research say about CBDa and CBD for cancer?

CBDa and CBD are two powerful hemp-derived compounds that have gained significant attention for their potential anti-cancer properties. While research is still ongoing, scientists have already identified their therapeutic roles in multiple types of cancer.

At the time of writing, studies suggest that CBDa and CBD may offer promising benefits in managing and potentially slowing the progression of 11 types of cancer including Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Colorectal Cancer (CRC), Glioma (a type of brain tumor), Leukemia/Lymphoma, Thyroid Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer and Bladder Cancer. 

But how exactly do CBDa and CBD influence cancer progression? Let’s explore the scientific mechanisms behind their effects.

1. Lung Cancer

Lung cancer remains a significant health concern in the United States. It is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Information from the CDC shows that about 209,500 new cases were reported in 2021, while about 131,888 deaths were recorded in 2022. The disease is categorized into two primary types; Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) accounting for about 80% to 85% of lung cancer cases and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) accounting for about 15% to 20% of cases. 

While research on CBDa’s role in lung cancer is still limited, studies suggest that CBD may help slow its progression. A 2010 study found that CBD can interfere with key biological pathways that enable cancer to spread. Specifically, researchers discovered that CBD may inhibit proteins and enzymes linked to tumor growth, including PAI-1, TIMP-1, p42/44, and p38 MAPKs. 

Building on this, a 2013 study further explored CBD’s role in lung cancer, particularly its influence on COX-2 enzymes. Researchers found that CBD can regulate COX-2-dependent prostaglandins, which play a key role in inflammation and cancer progression. Additionally, CBD was shown to activate PPAR-γ, a receptor involved in controlling cell growth and triggering apoptosis (programmed cancer cell death), an essential mechanism for preventing tumor development.

More recent research continues to reinforce CBD’s potential. A 2022 study from The Ohio State University, Columbus found that CBD can inhibit the growth and spread of drug-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in both in-vitro (lab) and in-vivo (animal) models. Further strengthening this evidence, a 2021 study demonstrated that CBD reduced cancer stem cells in both NSCLC and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), suggesting that CBD may be a promising therapeutic agent for both major types of lung cancer.

2. Breast Cancer

Breast cancer affects approximately 1 in 8 women (13.1%) during their lifetime. It accounted for almost 30% of all cancer cases diagnosed in 2024 with about 42,250 women dying from the disease. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., following skin cancer. 

Breast cancer is categorized into various subtypes based on hormone receptor status. Estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer contains estrogen receptors, making it responsive to hormone therapies that target estrogen. In contrast, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptors, making it more challenging to treat and often associated with a poorer prognosis. 

A 2014 study found that CBDa may help slow the spread of highly aggressive breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). Researchers discovered that CBDa works by blocking a specific protein (PKA) that promotes cancer cell movement, while also activating another protein (RhoA) that helps keep cells in place. A more recent research published in 2022 also shows CBDa can influence tumor progression and spread by targeting PPARβ/δ, a key regulatory pathway in cancer cells. In triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells, CBDa significantly increased the expression of PPARβ/δ target genes, including ANGPTL4 and ADRP thereby controlling cancer cell behavior and spread. 

3. Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States, following lung cancer. Approximately 1 in 44 men will die from the disease. Prostate cancer is categorized based on its response to hormones as androgen receptor-positive (AR-positive), which depends on androgens for growth, and androgen receptor-negative (AR-negative), which grows independently of androgens and is often more aggressive.

A 2012 study revealed that prostate cancer cells resistant to hormone therapy were particularly vulnerable to CBD. Researchers found that CBD not only slowed cancer cell growth but also enhanced the effectiveness of cancer drugs. Additionally, CBD triggered cancer cell death by activating self-destruct signals and increasing cellular stress, making it a promising compound for treatment-resistant prostate cancer.

Another study published in 2018 reported how CBD (at low doses) reduced the release of tiny particles called exosomes and microvesicles, which cancer cells use to communicate and spread. It also lowered the levels of key proteins linked to this process, potentially weakening the cancer's ability to grow and spread.

 A more recent study in 2023 reported how CBD inhibited the division of prostate cancer cells isolated in a laboratory. CBD was also reported in an earlier research to sensitize dog cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs. 

4. Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

Colorectal cancer ranks as the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer cases. In 2020, there were over 1.9 million new cases and 930,000 deaths attributed to this disease. In the United States, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 24 for men and 1 in 26 for women. 

Although there are no papers reporting the anticancer role of CBDa on colorectal cancer a recent paper published in Scientia Pharmaceutica shows CBD regulates apoptosis, proliferation, autophagy and tumor size of colorectal cancer cells. CBD achieves this by direct or indirect activation of CB1, CB2, TRPV1, PPARγ, and/or G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) receptors. CBD was also reported in a 2023 paper to inhibit the spread, migration and invasion of colon cancer cells in a dose-or time-dependent manner. 

5. Glioma

Glioma is the most common type of brain cancer. The most severe form, called glioblastoma, grows and spreads quickly. It is very difficult to treat, and only about 4–5% of patients survive more than five years. 

Studies suggest that cannabinoids like CBDa and CBD may play a key role in palliative care for brain tumor patients. Research shows that CBD can trigger apoptosis (programmed cancer cell death), inhibit cell migration and invasion (prevent cancer from spreading), and reduce tumor vascularization (limit blood supply to the tumor). In animal studies, CBD has also been shown to shrink tumors, slow their growth, and improve survival rates. Most CBD’s antitumor activities against glioma or brain tumor was observed to be dependent on TRPV2. 

6. Leukemia/Lymphoma

Leukemia and lymphoma are types of blood cancers that affect the body's blood-forming tissues and lymphatic system, respectively. In the United States, approximately every 3 minutes, one person is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. In 2024, an estimated 187,740 people were diagnosed with these blood cancers, accounting for 9.4% of all new cancer cases. 

Information from a 2022 study shows CBD block cell proliferation, induces mitophagy (targeted destruction of damaged mitochondria), and alters the expression of differentiation markers in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells through the TRPV2 receptor. Additionally, CBD enhances the effects of imatinib, a standard CML treatment, and reduces the viability of imatinib-resistant cells, suggesting its potential as a complementary therapy for drug-resistant leukemia in a dose- and time dependent manner. 

Another study from 2006 also demonstrated that CBD reduced tumor burden (the overall size and impact of the tumor) and triggered apoptosis (a natural process where cancer cells self-destruct) in live animal models (in vivo). 

7. Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer starts in the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism and hormone production.it is the 13th most diagnosed cancer and affects about 44,000 people in the U.S alone. The cancer is most common in women. 

CBD slowed the growth of KiMol cells, a human thyroid cancer cell line, by triggering apoptosis (programmed cell death) and cell cycle arrest (halting cell division), preventing the cancer from spreading.

8. Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. It is a malignant form of tumor which originates in the cervix. It is divided into 2 histological types, namely adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCC originates from the squamous cell outer lining of the cervix, whereas AC originates from inner glandular cervical cells. SCC has a higher occurrence rate of about 70% when compared to AC.

Reports from a 2010 study revealed how CBD effectively killed cervical cancer cells in a way that depended on both time and dosage. This effect was driven by apoptosis (natural cell death) and occurred without stopping cell division.

In another study published in 2019, CBD drastically reduced cervical cancer cell growth by triggering apoptotic cell death mechanisms. It also stimulated an anti-tumor immune response, helping to control cancer stem cell (CCSC) spread, metastatic tumor growth, and secondary spread.

9. Gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor that originates in the gastric mucosal epithelium. Gastric cancer can be further classified according to the disease site, which includes gastric cardia cancer, gastric cancer, and gastric antrum cancer

CBD decreased cell proliferation and colony formation in a concentration-dependent manner in gastric cancer cells without affecting normal gastric cells

10. Pancreatic cancers

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth major cause of cancer death and is likely to become the second major cause of cancer death after lung cancer by 2030. Pancreatic cancer is considered a rare type of cancer. Different types of pancreatic cancer can be distinguished, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, 85% of cases) or neuroendocrine tumors (less than 5% of cases)

CBD exhibit antiproliferative effects (slowing cancer cell growth) and proapoptotic effects (promoting cancer cell death) in a dose dependent manner. In a clinically relevant pancreatic cancer model, CBD enhanced survival outcomes when combined with gemcitabine, a standard chemotherapy drug, suggesting its potential to improve treatment effectiveness. 

11. Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is the tenth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths around the world, with an estimated 55,000 newly diagnosed cases in 2020 globally, and approximately 170,000 deaths

CBD alongside other cannabinoids like THC, CBC and CBDV were reported to reduce the growth of bladder cancer cells. When combined with chemotherapy drugs like gemcitabine or cisplatin, their effects vary based on dosage, ranging from opposing (antagonistic) to enhancing (additive or synergistic) responses.

Disclaimer:

Cannabis and CBD products are not FDA-approved for treating cancer and should not replace proven treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy. If you're considering cannabis for medical use, consult your doctor to ensure it's safe for you.

References 

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