CBD May Help Overcome Drug Resistance in Leukaemia Treatment
Recent research published in the journal Global Medical Genetics suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may help with drug resistance in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). The authors believe this might be due to changes in microRNAs (miRNAs) carried by exosomes.
However, it is important to note that these findings are based on laboratory studies of cell lines. This does not mean that CBD is an effective treatment for people with leukaemia. We need clinical trials to confirm its safety and effectiveness.
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and Drug Resistance
Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a blood cancer caused by the BCR-ABL1 fusion oncogene. The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as imatinib mesylate has greatly improved patient outcomes, making CML a more manageable disease.
Despite this, some patients still do not respond to imatinib, which is a major problem in treatment. Doctors often use second- and third-generation inhibitors, but not all patients get lasting results. So, research for new treatment strategies continues.
How Does CBD Impact Leukaemia Cell Treatment?
Scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Sofia University looked at the miRNA profiles in exosomes from two cell lines: K-562S (sensitive to imatinib) and K-562R (resistant to imatinib).
They exposed the cells to:
- CBD alone,
- imatinib alone,
- a combination of CBD and imatinib.
They then assessed the changes in miRNA expression in exosomes and used gene analysis to identify altered biological pathways.
Differences Between Sensitive and Resistant Cells
In cells sensitive to imatinib, CBD changed the miRNA profile in ways that inhibited tumor growth and promoted apoptosis (programmed cell death). This supports earlier findings showing that CBD can slow cancer cell growth.
In drug-resistant cells, the response was more complicated. Researchers noted changes in both miRNAs linked to cancer growth and those regulating cellular metabolism. This suggests complex interactions between the pathways that control cell survival and death in resistant cells.
When only imatinib was used, it triggered expected processes to inhibit tumor growth in sensitive cells. However, in resistant cells, signs of tumor suppression were reduced.
The Combination of CBD and Imatinib and Resistance Mechanisms
The most compelling results came from the combination therapy. In sensitive cells, combining CBD and imatinib increased apoptosis and activated pathways related to cell differentiation.
In resistant cells, the effects were less clear. Some pathways related to apoptosis showed partial restoration, but many tumor suppression mechanisms did not return. This indicates that CBD might help address some aspects of drug resistance, but further study is needed.
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Liz Filmer
