The available literature on CBD as a potential treatment for cancer in dogs and cats is limited, but it suggests that CBD may have both antiemetic and antineoplastic properties. CBD could help alleviate cancer-related symptoms and promote cell death while inhibiting cell migration in live animals.
Although there are no in vivo studies specifically examining the antitumor effects of CBD in dogs and cats, preliminary studies conducted on mouse models have shown some promising results. CBD has been found to reduce the formation of polyps in a mouse model of colon cancer and decrease lung metastasis. These findings indicate that CBD may have potential applications in rodent models of cancer. However, further research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on tumor growth in naturally occurring cancers.
In vitro studies conducted on canine tumor cell lines have demonstrated that CBD has cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. CBD treatment has been shown to reduce tumor cell proliferation and viability. The exact mechanisms by which CBD inhibits canine tumor cell proliferation are not well understood, but it is believed to involve impairment of mitochondrial function and induction of apoptosis and autophagy.
Researchers have also observed synergistic effects between CBD and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs in reducing cell proliferation in canine cancer cell lines. For example, a study found that CBD, when combined with doxorubicin and vincristine, had a greater impact on reducing cell proliferation compared to CBD alone. Interestingly, they also discovered that lower doses of CBD in whole hemp extract were more effective than higher doses of CBD isolate, suggesting that other components in hemp may enhance the antiproliferative effects of CBD.
In summary, in vitro studies have shown that CBD has antineoplastic effects on various types of canine tumor cells. While there is limited research on CBD’s effects on cancer in dogs and cats, the available evidence suggests its potential as a treatment option. Further studies, particularly in live animals with naturally occurring cancers, are needed to fully explore the applications and effects of CBD on tumor growth.