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Featured Article | Research Article | 20 Jun 2026

Preclinical antitumor evaluation of a tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (1:6) cannabis extract in an MCF-7 xenograft model of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Nuntana Meesiripan1, Somchai Thanasitthichai1, Suleeporn Sangrajrang1, Nuntakan Suwanpidokkul2, Piyaporn Prayakprom2, Chatchada Bodhibukkana2, Vipada Khaowroongrueng2, Kankanit Suriyachan3, Attasit Srisubat4, Pattamaporn Surawongsin5, Kasem Rattanapinyopituk6, and Siriwan Sakarin7 Show more
VETERINARY WORLD | Article No. 17 | pg no. 2496-2511 | Vol. 19, Issue 6 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2026.2496-2511
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ABSTRACT

                      
Background and Aim: Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and targeted treatments. Cannabinoids derived from Cannabis sativa, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have demonstrated anticancer properties in several experimental models; however, in vivo evidence in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effects of a THC:CBD (1:6) cannabis extract in a Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) xenograft mouse model of ER-positive breast cancer. 
Materials and Methods: Female BALB/c nude mice bearing MCF-7 xenograft tumors were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 5/group): negative control (sesame oil), positive control treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 20 mg/kg), and three treatment groups receiving oral THC:CBD (1:6) extract at doses of 2, 10, or 20 mg/kg body weight for 30 consecutive days. Tumor growth was monitored throughout the experiment. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression were performed to evaluate apoptosis-related morphology and tumor cell proliferation. Hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed to determine systemic safety. 
Results: Cannabinoid-treated groups exhibited significant suppression of tumor growth compared with the negative control group. Tumor volume reduction was observed in all treatment groups, with the greatest reduction detected in the high-dose THC:CBD group. Histopathological evaluation revealed increased numbers of tumor cells exhibiting morphological features consistent with apoptosis in cannabinoid-treated mice. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated significantly lower PCNA expression scores in all THC:CBD-treated groups compared with both negative and positive controls, indicating reduced tumor cell proliferation. Hematological parameters remained within normal physiological ranges in cannabinoid-treated animals. However, elevated alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were observed in the high-dose group, suggesting potential dose-related hepatic stress. 
Conclusion: The THC:CBD (1:6) cannabis extract demonstrated significant antitumor activity in an MCF-7 xenograft model by suppressing tumor progression primarily through inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, with supportive apoptosis-related histological features. These findings provide novel in vivo evidence supporting the potential of cannabinoid-based formulations as adjunctive therapeutic approaches for ER-positive breast cancer. 
                      
Keywords: apoptosis, breast cancer, cannabidiol, cannabinoids, estrogen receptor-positive, MCF-7, tetrahydrocannabinol, xenograft model.