CBD industry eyes cancer-friendly applications amid rising consumer interest

26 Nov 2021 --- Scientific research on the use of cannabinoids like CBD for cancer treatment or pain relief is seeing increased focus, according to nutrition industry insiders who speak to NutritionInsight.

“Many current cancer treatments generate severe side effects and significantly impact the patient’s quality of life. Therefore, if cannabinoids are proven to help manage symptoms related to cancer or treat the disease itself, this will be a major breakthrough in the scientific field,” says Kelsey Achenbach, global segment director pharma and medical nutrition at DSM.

“This could potentially benefit many patients globally,” she highlights. While CBD has been spotlighted for weight loss, mental health and even sports nutrition, it is particularly known for its pain relief properties.   

“It would be extremely advantageous if cannabis or related compounds such as CBD could relieve the pain, insomnia, anxiety, or nausea associated with cancer. Even better if it could potentially slow or stop the growth of cancer,” Julie Scheurl, operations lead at Alphagreen Group underscores to NutritionInsight. 

Growing popularity

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 147 million individuals consume marijuana yearly.

Though cannabis has been used across the world for centuries, the recent growth in interest for the ingredient and components like CBD has gained attention because of several potential health benefits, Scheurl adds.

“The CBD market is fast-growing. The ingredient is set to disrupt the dietary supplement and food and beverage categories, powered by strong consumer interest and increasing science investigating the ingredient’s role. However, the supplier industry is extremely fragmented and the market does not yet have the recognized science or quality standards to help it progress,” flags Achenbach. 

Achenbach attributes the renewed interest in CBD and other cannabinoids to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the early 1990s. It consists of endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors (known as CB1 and CB2 receptors) and cannabinoid receptor proteins.

“It is thought that CBD exerts its (many potential) effects in the body via modulation and interaction with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS,” she highlights. 

Unpacking the science
Though the CBD sector in the UK has an estimated value of almost US$1 billion, Cancer Research UK highlights “the bottom line is that right now there isn’t enough reliable evidence to prove that any form of cannabis can effectively treat cancer in patients.” 

“This includes hemp oil, cannabis oil or the active chemicals found within the cannabis plant (cannabinoids) – whether natural or man-made.”

According to the charity, virtually all scientific research investigating whether cannabinoids can treat cancer has been done using cancer cells grown in the lab or animals.

“While these studies are a vital part of research, providing early indications of the benefits of particular treatments, they don’t necessarily hold true for people.”

Contradicting results?
Currently, science indicates different cannabinoids may have different effects on various types of cancer, notes Cancer Research UK. For robust results, however, large-scale clinical trials need to take place with control groups. Currently, only a few small clinical trials have been set up. 

“Under some circumstances, cannabinoids can encourage cancer cells to grow, or have different effects depending on the dose used and levels of cannabinoid receptors present on the cancer cells.”

Some evidence hints that cannabis and CBD therapies may complement cancer treatment, helping people to stimulate appetite, relieve pain and ease nausea, Scheurl states.The use of cannabis is thought to date back to more than 5,000 years ago.

Industry takes up CBD
Much of CBD’s success will depend on its regulatory status, with this being a key debate in many regions. For example, the US Senate recently released “long overdue” draft legislation regarding a safe daily consumption level, while the UK CBD industry navigates post-Brexit complications surrounding novel food applications. 

Nonetheless, industry is continuing to spearhead innovation and investment into relevant products.

Earlier this year, DSM entered into a commercial partnership with Mile High Labs to develop “unique hemp-derived cannabinoid solutions.” 

Meanwhile, Symrise developed Canapure, a nature-identical alternative to traditional CBD. It allows industry to access a synthetically produced CBD that is suitable both as an active pharmaceutical ingredient and as an intermediate product for the development of new substances.

Consumer-facing NPD is also proliferating, imbuing numerous delivery formats with CBD.  

By Andria Kades