Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Tags: CBD, Fibrosarcoma, Cancer, Apoptosis, Cancer Cells
Falone Sunda, Researcher at @UCTSouthAfrica, presents “Cannabidiol (CBD) Downregulates expression of Human FAM111B Gene in Fibrosarcoma” at CannMed 2025.
Fibrosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer arising from fibrous connective tissues. It presents a significant therapeutic challenge. A recent study on the overexpression of the human FAM111B gene in fibrosarcoma compared normal epithelial tissues, suggesting it may represent a viable therapeutic target. It is common knowledge that many studies have reported on the anti-cancer properties of Cannabidiol (CBD). However, the molecular mechanisms or targets by with it elicits this property is not fully understood. Consequently, this study investigated the potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) to downregulate FAM111B expression and its implications for apoptosis and cell cycle regulation in fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080) compared to non-cancerous cells (FG0). Utilizing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, we established the IC50 values for CBD in HT1080 and FG0 cells. These findings indicate that CBD affects both cell lines with comparable selectivity, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant in cancer therapy.
CBD treatment led to a notable downregulation of FAM111B at both mRNA and protein levels across both cell lines. In HT1080 cells, CBD significantly modulated key regulators of the cell cycle and apoptosis, including Cyclin B1, p21, and BAG3. The upregulation of p21, coupled with the downregulation of Cyclin B1 and BAG3, resulted in an increased arrest of cells in the G0 phase and elevated apoptosis rates. Importantly, CBD did not alter the expression of FAM111A, a closely related gene. Our findings suggest that CBD effectively targets FAM111B, influencing critical cellular pathways associated with cell cycle and apoptosis in fibrosarcoma. This research demonstrates the potential therapeutic utility of CBD in the treatment of fibrosarcoma while also demonstrating its impact on non-cancerous cells. Further investigation will be essential to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and to assess CBD's potential as an adjunct in cancer therapy.
Learning Objectives:
⦾ Summarize the established anti-cancer properties of Cannabidiol (CBD) while identifying the existing gaps in understanding its molecular mechanisms of action
⦾ Explore the justification for researching CBD's influence on FAM111B expression and its potential implications for cancer therapy
0:00 - Introduction to the CBD Cancer Study
0:21 - Understanding Fibrosarcoma and Its Poor Prognosis
1:14 - The FAM111B Gene and Its Link to Cancer
2:48 - FAM111B's Role in DNA and Cell Regulation
4:05 - The Hypothesis: Can CBD Suppress FAM111B?
4:39 - Methods for Analyzing Gene and Protein Expression
6:40 - CBD's Effect on FAM111B Gene and Protein
7:09 - Unexpected Results with P53 and BCL2 Proteins
7:48 - The Role of BAG3 and Cell Cycle Proteins
8:29 - How CBD Induces Apoptosis
9:43 - CBD's Impact on the Cell Cycle
11:03 - Investigating Alternative Pathways
12:27 - The Function of Anti-Apoptotic Proteins
13:45 - The Role of Cell Cycle Inhibitors
15:17 - Conclusion and Key Takeaways
16:27 - Acknowledging the Research Team and Sponsors
Learn More about CannMed: cannmedevents.com
Sign Up for Our Newsletter: share.hsforms.com/1oi57oJDnRN-Uqqc9YPByRA20xr2
The CannMed 25 Innovation & Investment Summit showcased its first international venue, the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort in Puerto Rico from June 17 - 20, 2025. Since its inception at Harvard Medical School in 2016, CannMed has earned a reputation as the premier destination for cutting-edge research, emerging technologies, and investment opportunities. CannMed 25 continues this tradition with medicinal plant researchers, clinicians and venture capitalists who view this Summit as the industry’s number one showcase for the latest advances in plant-based science, medicine, cultivation, and safety.
Tags: CBD, Fibrosarcoma, Cancer, Apoptosis, Cancer Cells
Falone Sunda, Researcher at @UCTSouthAfrica, presents “Cannabidiol (CBD) Downregulates expression of Human FAM111B Gene in Fibrosarcoma” at CannMed 2025.
Fibrosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer arising from fibrous connective tissues. It presents a significant therapeutic challenge. A recent study on the overexpression of the human FAM111B gene in fibrosarcoma compared normal epithelial tissues, suggesting it may represent a viable therapeutic target. It is common knowledge that many studies have reported on the anti-cancer properties of Cannabidiol (CBD). However, the molecular mechanisms or targets by with it elicits this property is not fully understood. Consequently, this study investigated the potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) to downregulate FAM111B expression and its implications for apoptosis and cell cycle regulation in fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080) compared to non-cancerous cells (FG0). Utilizing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, we established the IC50 values for CBD in HT1080 and FG0 cells. These findings indicate that CBD affects both cell lines with comparable selectivity, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant in cancer therapy.
CBD treatment led to a notable downregulation of FAM111B at both mRNA and protein levels across both cell lines. In HT1080 cells, CBD significantly modulated key regulators of the cell cycle and apoptosis, including Cyclin B1, p21, and BAG3. The upregulation of p21, coupled with the downregulation of Cyclin B1 and BAG3, resulted in an increased arrest of cells in the G0 phase and elevated apoptosis rates. Importantly, CBD did not alter the expression of FAM111A, a closely related gene. Our findings suggest that CBD effectively targets FAM111B, influencing critical cellular pathways associated with cell cycle and apoptosis in fibrosarcoma. This research demonstrates the potential therapeutic utility of CBD in the treatment of fibrosarcoma while also demonstrating its impact on non-cancerous cells. Further investigation will be essential to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and to assess CBD's potential as an adjunct in cancer therapy.
Learning Objectives:
⦾ Summarize the established anti-cancer properties of Cannabidiol (CBD) while identifying the existing gaps in understanding its molecular mechanisms of action
⦾ Explore the justification for researching CBD's influence on FAM111B expression and its potential implications for cancer therapy
0:00 - Introduction to the CBD Cancer Study
0:21 - Understanding Fibrosarcoma and Its Poor Prognosis
1:14 - The FAM111B Gene and Its Link to Cancer
2:48 - FAM111B's Role in DNA and Cell Regulation
4:05 - The Hypothesis: Can CBD Suppress FAM111B?
4:39 - Methods for Analyzing Gene and Protein Expression
6:40 - CBD's Effect on FAM111B Gene and Protein
7:09 - Unexpected Results with P53 and BCL2 Proteins
7:48 - The Role of BAG3 and Cell Cycle Proteins
8:29 - How CBD Induces Apoptosis
9:43 - CBD's Impact on the Cell Cycle
11:03 - Investigating Alternative Pathways
12:27 - The Function of Anti-Apoptotic Proteins
13:45 - The Role of Cell Cycle Inhibitors
15:17 - Conclusion and Key Takeaways
16:27 - Acknowledging the Research Team and Sponsors
Learn More about CannMed: cannmedevents.com
Sign Up for Our Newsletter: share.hsforms.com/1oi57oJDnRN-Uqqc9YPByRA20xr2
The CannMed 25 Innovation & Investment Summit showcased its first international venue, the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort in Puerto Rico from June 17 - 20, 2025. Since its inception at Harvard Medical School in 2016, CannMed has earned a reputation as the premier destination for cutting-edge research, emerging technologies, and investment opportunities. CannMed 25 continues this tradition with medicinal plant researchers, clinicians and venture capitalists who view this Summit as the industry’s number one showcase for the latest advances in plant-based science, medicine, cultivation, and safety.
