Medicinal Cannabis: an alternative for treating and relieving symptoms of brain tumors?

Resumo

Os gliomas, tumores primários no cérebro, são comuns, com o glioblastoma multiforme sendo o mais agressivo e frequentemente incurável. A cannabis medicinal, com seus componentes THC e CBD surge como uma promissora opção terapêutica, porém, apesar do aumento do seu uso, há incertezas sobre sua segurança e eficácia. Este estudo visa avaliar o uso de cannabis medicinal para tratar sintomas e retardar a progressão de tumores cerebrais, comparando a eficácia de seus principais compostos canabinoides. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática seguindo o método PRISMA. A coleta dos estudos foi realizada nas bases de dados Pubmed e BVS, utilizando os descritores “Cannabidiol”, “Cannabis”, “Oncology”, “Alliative care”, “Brain tumour”, “Antitumor therapy”, “Glioma”. Foram incluídos artigos de ensaio clínico, relato de caso, editorial, estudo transversal, experimental, carta ao editor e meta-análise, publicados de 2014 a 2024, totalizando 11 trabalhos. A cannabis mostra potencial para controlar sintomas como dor, estresse, náusea e distúrbios do sono e até mesmo induzir regressão tumoral, especialmente através do CBD que demonstra efeitos mais evidentes que o THC. No entanto, sua utilização como tratamento alternativo para o câncer enfrenta desafios legais, regulatórios e clínicos, além de limitações nas pesquisas disponíveis.

Palavras-chave

Cannabis, Canabinoides; Gliomas; Tumor cerebral

Abstract

Gliomas are common primary brain tumors; glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form, frequently incurable. Medicinal cannabis, which contains THC and CBD, emerges as a promising therapeutic option. However, despite its growing usage, uncertainties persist regarding its safety and efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the use of medicinal cannabis for symptom relief and tumor growth delay in brain tumors by comparing the efficacy of its major cannabinoid components. This is a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, with data gathered from PubMed and BVS databases using the keywords “Cannabidiol”, “Cannabis”, “Oncology”, “Palliative care”, “Brain tumor”, “Antitumor therapy”, and “Glioma”. Included articles range from clinical trials and case reports to cross-sectional studies, experiments, editorials, and meta-analyses published from 2014 to 2024, comprising a total of 11 studies. Cannabis shows potential in managing symptoms such as pain, stress, nausea, and sleep disorders, and even in inducing tumor regression, particularly through CBD, which displays more evident effects compared to THC. Nonetheless, its use as an alternative cancer treatment faces legal, regulatory, and clinical challenges, as well as limitations in available research.

Keywords

Cannabis; Cannabinoids; Gliomas; Brain tumor

References

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10. Desprez PY, Murase R, Limbad C, et al. Cannabidiol treatment results in a common gene expression response across aggressive cancer cells from various origins. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2021;6(2):148-55. http://doi.org/10.1089/can.2019.0081. PMid:33912679.

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Medicinal Cannabis: an alternative for treating and relieving symptoms of brain tumors?

Cannabis Medicinal: alternativa para cura e alívio dos sintomas de tumores cerebrais?

Resumo

Palavras-chave

Abstract

Keywords

References

JBNC Brazilian Journal of Neurosurgery

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