Low grade serous ovarian carcinoma is a rare disease that is "relatively resistant to chemotherapy in comparison to its high-grade counterpart". Many patients with advanced stage or recurrent carcinoma are encouraged to participate in pharmaceutical clinical trials because treatment options are limited and the cure rate is only 5%.
Meanwhile, animal and laboratory studies have demonstrated multiple anticancer mechanisms of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD against gliomas, lymphomas, prostate, breast, lung, skin, and pancreatic cancer. Specifically, the "ovarian cancer cell lines express GPR55, a target that is inhibited indirectly by CBD and plays a role in prostate and ovarian cancer cell proliferation.
In this case report, we highlight a dramatic response to combination Laetrile and CBD oil in a patient with widely metastatic low grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Laetrile is a semi-synthetic version of amygdaline, a chemical compound found in plants and fruit seeds. Both Laetrile and amygdaline contain cyanide within a common structural component.
A Cochrane review published in 2015 found no randomized or quasi randomized control trials supporting the use of Laetrile in cancer patients, and argued it should not be used in cancer patients due to risk of cyanide poisoning. Although, it was banned by the FDA in the 1980s, it is still available for purchase.
After refusing all other treatment options because of her concern for quality of life, the 81-year-old woman took a 500mg tablet of laetrile 4 times a day and one drop of cannabidiol sublingually each evening. Her CA-125 levels normalized after just one month of this regimen.
Source: Barrie, A. M., Gushue, A. C., & Eskander, R. N. (2019). Dramatic response to Laetrile and cannabidiol (CBD) oil in a patient with metastatic low grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Gynecologic Oncology Reports Vol 29, Pp. 10-12