title: Enhancing the activity of cannabidiol and other cannabinoids in vitro through modifications to drug combinations and treatment schedules.
abstract: Cannabinoids are the bioactive components of the Cannabis plant that display a diverse range of therapeutic qualities. We explored the activity of six cannabinoids, used both alone and in combination in leukaemic cells. Cannabinoids were cytostatic and caused a simultaneous arrest at all phases of the cell cycle. Re-culturing pre-treated cells in drug-free medium resulted in dramatic reductions in cell viability. Furthermore, combining cannabinoids was not antagonistic. We suggest that the activities of some cannabinoids are influenced by treatment schedules; therefore, it is important to carefully select the most appropriate strategy in order to maximise their efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Oncology, Division of Clinical Sciences, St. George's, University of London, 2nd Floor, Jenner Wing, London, SW17 0RE, U.K. w.liu@sgul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Katherine Ann
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Sini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Angus George
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Dalgleish
authors.forename: Wai Man
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004357:Drug Synergism; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002186:Cannabinoids; D002185:Cannabidiol; C037036:cannabigerol
keywords: Cannabinoids; drug combination; drug schedule; leukaemia