Cannabidiol suppresses emergency MDSCs generation by disturbing EEF1B2-mediated C/EBPβ protein synthesis in colorectal adenomas

Sep 22, 2026

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Colorectal cancer often evolves from adenomas over years, where inflammation can trigger emergency myelopoiesis driven by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Cannabidiol (CBD) is known for immune regulation in other conditions, but its target and mechanism in colorectal adenomas remain unclear. CBD was tested in two mouse adenoma models, using single-cell RNA sequencing, target profiling, and immunology and molecular assays. CBD prevented adenoma incidence and reduced MDSCs by inhibiting EEF1B2-mediated C/EBPβ protein synthesis, enhancing T cell activation and limiting progression.

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Open access Original research Cannabidiol suppresses emergency MDSCs generation by disturbing EEF1B2-mediated C/EBPβ protein synthesis in colorectal adenomas Jie Pan,1,2 Lixin Zhao,1,3 Haojie Du,1 Yuyu Zhu,1 Xiaofan Sun,1 Qiang Xu,1 Haibo Cheng ,4 Hongqi Chen,5 Yang Sun 1,3 To cite: Pan J, Zhao L, Du H, et al. Cannabidiol suppresses emergency MDSCs generation by disturbing EEF1B2-mediated C/EBPβ protein synthesis in colorectal adenomas. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer 2026;14:e013081 . doi:10 . 1136/ jitc-2025-013081 ► Additional supplemental material is published online only. To view, please visit the journal online ([https://doi.org/10.1136/](https://doi.org/10.1136/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.1136/)[jitc-2025-013081](jitc-2025-013081)) . JP and LZ contributed equally. Accepted 23 December 2025 © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group. For numbered affiliations see end of article. Correspondence to Professor Yang Sun; [yangsun@nju.edu.cn](yangsun@nju.edu.cn) Professor Hongqi Chen; [chen_hongqi06@sjtu.edu.cn](chen_hongqi06@sjtu.edu.cn) Professor Haibo Cheng; [haibocheng@njucm.edu.cn](haibocheng@njucm.edu.cn) ABSTRACT Background Colorectal cancer often develops from adenomas over years, necessitating early intervention. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are major immune suppressive cell types in colon cancer development from adenomas through early inflammationinduced emergency myelopoiesis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is reported to function in psychosis, coronavirus infection and some cancers through immune regulation. However, its target and underlying mechanisms in colorectal adenomas are unknown. Methods The antitumor effect of CBD was validated in two classical colorectal adenomas models including azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) induced mice model and high-fat fed Apcmin/+ mice model. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to identified the immune environment change after CBD treatment in mice colorectal adenomas. Target responsive accessibility profiling was used to find the target of CBD in MDSCs. Subsequently, multiple immunology assays and molecular biology experiment were employed to explore the adenomas prevention mechanisms of CBD. Results Here, we found that CBD prevented the incidence of colorectal adenomas in AOM/DSS model and highfat diet fed Apcmin/+ mice model. Our single-cell RNA sequencing data and the results of immunofluorescence revealed that CBD treatment significantly decreased the number of MDSCs in both two colon adenomas models. Mechanistically, CBD bound to the guanine nucleotide exchange factor domain of EEF1B2, inhibiting its function in translational elongation and subsequent C/EBPβ synthesis. This disruption suppressed the differentiation and generation of MDSCs, leading to enhanced T cell activation and prevention of colorectal adenoma progression. Conclusion Our findings reveal EEF1B2-mediated C/EBPβ protein synthesis as a crucial pathway in MDSC generation and highlight the potential of CBD as an early intervention strategy for colorectal adenomas. INTRODUCTION The incidence of colon cancer in the young population is rising at a pace of 1–2% per year.1 2 High intake of fat, red or processed meat is a risk factor. Immune checkpoint WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC | ⇒ It has been reported that cannabidiol (CBD) has immune regulation effect in some inflammatory diseases and tumors but its specific binding protein and underlying mechanism in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are not well known.
WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS | | --- | | ⇒ In this study, we found that CBD prevented the progression of colorectal adenomas via targeting inhibition the function of EEF1B2 to suppress the generation of MDSC from bone marrow in the condition of adenomas induced systemic inflammation. The underlying mechanism was that EEF1B2 inhibitio

FAQs

What problem does this study address in colorectal adenomas?

Colorectal cancer commonly develops from adenomas, and inflammation can promote emergency myelopoiesis through MDSCs, creating a strong immune-suppressive environment.

How was cannabidiol (CBD) evaluated for anti-adenoma effects?

CBD was tested in two classical mouse adenoma models (AOM/DSS and high-fat fed Apcmin/+), followed by single-cell RNA sequencing and multiple immunology and molecular experiments.

What mechanism does the study propose for CBD’s action on MDSCs?

CBD binds the guanine nucleotide exchange factor domain of EEF1B2, inhibiting translational elongation and subsequent C/EBPβ protein synthesis, which suppresses MDSC differentiation and generation.

Sep 22, 2026

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