Abstract
Cannabis, as a natural medicinal remedy, has long been used for palliative treatment to alleviate the side effects caused by diseases. Cannabis-based products isolated from plant extracts exhibit potent immunoregulatory properties, reducing chronic inflammatory processes and providing much needed pain relief. They are a proven effective solution for treatment-based side effects, easing the resulting symptoms of the disease. However, we discuss the fact that cannabis use may promote the progression of a range of malignancies, interfere with anti-cancer immunotherapy, or increase susceptibility to viral infections and transmission. Most cannabis preparations or isolated active components cause an overall potent immunosuppressive impact among users, posing a considerable hazard to patients with suppressed or compromised immune systems. In this review, current knowledge and perceptions of cannabis or cannabinoids and their impact on various immune-system components will be discussed as the “two sides of the same coin” or “double-edged sword”, referring to something that can have both favorable and unfavorable consequences. We propose that much is still unknown about adverse reactions to its use, and its integration with medical treatment should be conducted cautiously with consideration of the individual patient, effector cells, microenvironment, and the immune system.
Highlights
The relationship between man and the Cannabis plant reaches back thousands of years; its first known use is as early as 10,000 years ago and as far back as the StoneAge [1]
cannabinoids receptors (CBR)-1 and receptors tissues is believed to be mainly forby regulating theCBR-2 immune system when the impact of other recently discovered cannabinoid receptors, such as peroxisome prolifCBR-2 mRNA expression differs between immune system cells and is expressed at the erator-activated receptors (PPARs) andkiller transient potential channels(PMN)
Even though B cells express the highest levels of CBR-2 among immune cells, there are minimal data and only a handful of studies in which B cells are identified as targets of Endocannabinoid System (ECS) [98], apart from CBD-induced apoptosis B cells (Table 1) [144]
Summary
The relationship between man and the Cannabis plant reaches back thousands of years; its first known use is as early as 10,000 years ago and as far back as the Stone. The five main methods of cannabis usage are: orally (slowly dissolving tabs placed under the tongue or swallowed in pill form), non-combustion inhalation (E-cigarettes, vapor pens, vapor machines), combustion inhalation (tobacco-based cigarettes commonly referred to as joints and bungs), in an ointment form, and can be combusted and inhaled alone (without tobacco). Each of these techniques has its unique qualities, no data favors any one method, and treatment choice is individual. Research and clinical discoveries uncovering the effects of cannabis on the immune system emphasize the urgent need to investigate further the impact of cannabis use on immune cells as an accompanying popular treatment, with a need to communicate the data, findings, and information to physicians, consumers, and patients
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