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Deutsche Zeitschrift für Onkologie 2022; 54(04): 159-165
DOI: 10.1055/a-1947-1976
Forschung

Der Nutzen von Cannabis in der Krebstherapie

The Benefits of Cannabis in Cancer Therapy
Franjo Grotenhermen
1   Zentrum für Cannabismedizin, Steinheim
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Zusammenfassung

Cannabis und Cannabinoide können bei der Palliation einer Anzahl von krebsassoziierten Symptomen hilfreich sein, darunter Appetitlosigkeit mit Gewichtsverlust, Übelkeit und Erbrechen, Schmerzen, Schlafstörungen und Depressionen. Einige dieser Indikationen gelten heute als etabliert. In der Grundlagenforschung wurde darüber hinaus nachgewiesen, dass eine Anzahl von Cannabinoiden, darunter THC (Dronabinol) und CBD (Cannabidiol), krebshemmende Eigenschaften besitzen. Es gibt Belege für eine Anzahl von Wirkmechanismen, darunter die Hemmung der Tumorzellproliferation, die Auslösung von Apoptosen und Autophagie, die Hemmung der Tumorinvasion und der Bildung von Metastasen, der Angioneogenese und der Chemoresistenz. Cannabinoide könnten auch vor einigen zytostatikabedingten Schäden schützen, darunter vor der Entwicklung einer peripheren Neuropathie. Allerdings wurden in einzelnen Untersuchungen auch krebsfördernde Eigenschaften von Cannabinoiden beobachtet. Die klinische Datenlage ist bisher sehr limitiert. Es gibt eindrucksvolle Fallberichte über eine erfolgreiche Krebstherapie mit CBD und THC sowie einige epidemiologische Studien und wenige klinische Daten, die ein therapeutisches Potenzial von cannabisbasierten Medikamenten unterstützen.

Abstract

Cannabis and cannabinoids can be helpful in palliating a number of cancer-associated symptoms, including loss of appetite with weight loss, nausea and vomiting, pain, sleep disturbances and depression. Some of these indications are now considered established. Basic research has also shown that a number of cannabinoids, including THC (dronabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), have anti-cancer properties. There is evidence for a number of mechanisms, including inhibition of tumour cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis and autophagy, inhibition of tumour invasion and metastasis, angioneogenesis and chemoresistance. Cannabinoids may also protect against some cytostatic-related damage, including the development of peripheral neuropathy. However, cancer-promoting properties of cannabinoids have also been observed in some studies. The clinical data situation is very limited so far. There are impressive case reports of successful cancer therapy with CBD and THC as well as some epidemiological studies and few clinical data supporting a therapeutic potential of cannabis-based medicines.

Schlüsselwörter

Cannabis - Cannabinoide - THC - CBD - Marihuana - Krebs - Therapie

Key words

cannabis - cannabinoid - THC - CBD - marijuana - cancer - therapy


Publication History

Article published online:
08 December 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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