Can you use CBD Oil when taking Immunotherapy drugs?

Good evening @lainandchrista, Although I am an advocate of medical cannabis and use it daily, I can see why the immunotherapists would not want to give you the green lite to begin again with a CBD product. Also, my five years of research have gone down many paths. And even though there are very reliable and authentic manufacturers, there are still questions about product sourcing and processing.

Perhaps it would help if you could provide the clinician with information about the regulations that the company adheres to in order to meet the highest standards. The research I could find today leads to the same conclusions. Given the rapid growth of the industry it would be best if all states legalized cannabis and the regulations were consistent in every state. Until that time I share my cannabis use including CBD based products with my medical PCP and specialists and I accept responsibility for its use. At this time I am working through a difficult challenge with osteoporosis and the fear of fractures in addition to Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN). May you both have joy and freedom from pain. Chris

Interesting!

Hi @iainandchrista, welcome to Connect.
I encourage you to read these discussions in the Lung Cancer where members have talked about CBD and immunotherapy drugs to treat lung cancer.
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Cannabis and Cannabinoids https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nivolumabkeytruda-cannabis-and-cannabinoids/
- Cannabis oil and Immunotherapy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cannabis-oil-and-immunotherapy/
- Using CBD/THC Oil to fight metastatic lung cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/using-cbdthc-oil-to-fight-metastatic-lung-cancer/

As @merpreb underlines in one comment "There is some research that indicates that CBD oil interferes with immunotherapy. And as you know, the use of CBD oil and how it interacts with other drugs is far from giving us definitive answers."
– https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/general-oncology/cannabis-reduces-immunotherapy-response/article/688059/
– https://oncologypro.esmo.org/Meeting-Resources/ESMO-2017-Congress/The-effect-of-cannabis-use-on-tumor-response-to-Nivolumab-in-patients-with-advanced-malignancies
– https://www.medicaljane.com/2014/08/28/study-cannabinoids-may-increase-lung-cancers-susceptibilty-to-specialized-killer-cells/

Why was your wife taking CBD up to starting on immunotherapy?

Thanks for the light reading Colleen. Christa was weaning herself off ant-depressant and anxiety medication and going down the road of one drop of CBD Oil each day instead of the drugs. all was going well until she was diagnosed with lung cancer and it had metastasized to the T5 vertebrae. It was 55mm in the lung (2inch) and before chemo, but after radiotherapy on the spine, on a PET Scan, it had shrunk a little. I think most of the studies or papers will be on the standard immunology drug Pembrolizumab as the two drugs, combined with the two chemo drugs, are Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab and are at sort of trial stages in patients in Australia, and certainly new new in the clinic Christa is being treated as she is the first to be given the 4 off together. She also takes Chinese Herbs made for her by her Acupuncturist through his Chinese doctor, which the immunologist has asked her not to take a few days before the chemo and a week after as he's not sure if that may also dictate the effect of the immunology drugs in the liver.
Cheers, i'll get back to my reading. cheers, iain

@iainandchrista- Good morning and welcome to Connect. I am a volunteer mentor for Mayo Connect and am mostly on the the Lung Cancer Group. Finding out that you have metastatic lung cancer is a shock and life changing all at once. I am also a CBD user. I have not had immunotherapy but have done a lot of research, as @artscaping has stated. CBD oil, cannabis and Chinese herbs have not been clinically tested to see if they are compatible with immunotherapy, at least not in any regulated way. It is only my opinion though that her oncologist be made aware of any and all medications other than what has been prescribed for her so that she can get the most benefit from any treatments she might be offered. Has she told her Oncologist as yet?

I took CBD oil before my diagnosis of 4 stage lung cancer. When put on Carbopbtin, Pemetrexed, and Pembroleumab (keyhuda). Was taken off CBD oil by oncologist.

Merry. Yes all up front with the oncologist / immunotherapist and he is of the mind that as there is no concrete studies that he would rather not have Christa on CBD or Chinese herbs, although the Chines Herbologist, who has been treating people for 40+ years seems to be of the mind that any help is good help. cheers, iain

Any experiences with taking high grade CBD oil and RICK SIMPSON tHC with my immunotherapy treatment for metastatic clear cell kidney cancer now on the lung. Have not started treatment yet.

Only facts please, not what MIGHT happen. Thank you

Diagnosis