Receptor-dependent and Receptor-independent Endocannabinoid Signaling: A Therapeutic Target for Regulation of Cancer Growth.

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“The endocannabinoid system comprises the G-protein coupled CB1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) and CB2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R), their endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids), and the enzymes responsible for their synthesis and catabolism. Recent works have revealed several important interactions between the endocannabinoid system and cancer. Moreover, it is now well established that synthetic small molecule cannabinoid receptor agonist acting on either CB1R or CB2R or both exert anti-cancer effects on a variety of tumor cells. Recent results from many laboratories reported that the expression of CB1R and CB2R in prostate cancer, breast cancer, and many other cancer cells are higher than corresponding non-malignant tissues. The mechanisms by which cannabinoids acting on CB1R or CB2R exert their effects on cancer cells are quite diverse and complex. Further, several studies demonstrated that some of the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of cannabinoids are mediated by receptor-independent mechanisms. In this minreview we provide an overview of the major findings on the effects of endogenous and/or synthetic cannabinoids on breast and prostate cancer. We also provide insight into receptor independent mechanisms of the anti-cancer effects of cannabinoids under in vitro and in vivo conditions.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23069587

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024320512005930

Can Cannabidiol (CBD) Fight Metastatic Cancer? According to the latest research the answer is yes.

“Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTC: MJNA), a leading hemp industry innovator, is pleased to report on a September 18 San Francisco Chronicle Article, “Pot compound seen as tool against cancer.”

The article states that scientists at California Pacific Medical Center who have been researching marijuana’s compounds for the 20 years have found that Cannabidiol, or CBD, has the ability to “turn off” the DNA that causes “breast and other types of cancers” to metastasize. CBD is the second-most abundant cannabinoid within marijuana, but does not cause the psychotropic high of THC.

As stated in the article: “We started by researching breast cancer,” said scientist Pierre Desprez. “But now we’ve found that Cannabidiol works with many kinds of aggressive cancers–brain, prostate–any kind in which these high levels of ID-1 are present.”

According to the Chronicle article, when scientists first exposed metastatic cancer cells to Cannabidiol in a petri dish, “the cells not only stopped acting crazy but they also started to revert to a normal state. Both scientists were shocked…But they got the same results each time they did it.”

“This article and the findings it reports just confirm what many have known, that Cannabidiol or CBD have tremendous health and wellness potential. We are pleased that our Dixie X line of products are available right now to patients who have an immediate need for CBD and are searching for an easy way to find it,” states Ted Caligiuri, Interim President of MJNA. “We take great pride in knowing that our Dixie X line may be of significant health benefit to not only all cancer patients, but those in late stages of metastatic disease. We are also looking forward to the clinical trials that will soon be underway and thank the National Institute of Health, Susan G. Komen Foundation and others for their unwavering commitment to funding this necessary research.”

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/can-cannabidiol-cbd-fight-metastatic-cancer-according-to-the-latest-research-the-answer-is-yes-170681736.html

The endocannabinoid system and cancer: therapeutic implication

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“The endocannabinoid system is implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions (inflammation, immunomodulation, analgesia, cancer and others).

The main active ingredient of cannabis, Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9) -THC), produces its effects through activation of CB(1) and CB(2) receptors. CB(1) receptors are expressed at high levels in the central nervous system (CNS), whereas CB(2) receptors are concentrated predominantly, although not exclusively, in cells of the immune system.

Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid-signalling molecules that are generated in the cell membrane from phospholipid precursors. The two best characterized endocannabinoids identified to date are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Here we review the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and anti-tumour actions (inhibition of cell proliferation and migration, induction of apoptosis, reduction of tumour growth) of the cannabinoids in different types of cancer.

This review will focus on examining how activation of the endocannabinoid system impacts breast, prostate and bone cancers in both in vitro and in vivo systems. The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for cancer, as identified in clinical trials, is also discussed.

Identification of safe and effective treatments to manage and improve cancer therapy is critical to improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary suffering in cancer patients. In this regard, cannabis-like compounds offer therapeutic potential for the treatment of breast, prostate and bone cancer in patients.

Further basic research on anti-cancer properties of cannabinoids as well as clinical trials of cannabinoid therapeutic efficacy in breast, prostate and bone cancer is therefore warranted.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21410463

“The available literature suggests that the endocannabinoid system may be targeted to suppress the evolution and progression of breast, prostate and bone cancer as well as the accompanying pain syndromes. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that cannabinoids are efficacious in reducing cancer progression (i.e. inhibition of tumour growth and metastases as well as induction of apoptosis and other anti-cancer properties) in breast, prostate and bone cancer. Although this review focuses on these three types of cancer, activation of the endocannabinoid signalling system produces anti-cancer effects in other types of cancer.” http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01327.x/full

No medical benefit from marijuana? How about a cancer cure?

“It’s been known for a long time that THC and other cannabinoids can effectively treat symptoms of cancer sufferers and chemotherapy patients, such as nausea, pain, loss of appetite and fatigue. But what scientists have proven in laboratory experiments and testing on animals the last few years is that cannabinoids also can kill cancer cells and stop the spread of aggressive types of the disease — cancer of the breast, brain, prostate, colon or lungs.

The way cannabinoids work, simply put, is by blocking or deactivating a gene called ID-1 that spreads cancer. One compound that’s been found to be especially effective doing this is called cannabidiol, or CBD.

Also, CBD (which unlike THC is non-psychoactive) and other cannabinoids are non-toxic, which greatly reduces the risk of harmful effects from their use.”

http://kpbj.com/opinions/editors_view/2012-10-02/no_medical_benefit_from_marijuana_how_about_a_cancer_cure

Cannabis Oil Fights Cancer

“Oil extracted from the marijuana plant has been shown to have extraordinary cancer-fighting properties.

A number of recent studies have confirmed the cancer-fighting, tumor-shrinking value of medical marijuana.

Although the first study to demonstrate that cannabis has anti-carcinogenic properties was done  back in 1974 by the U.S. National Institute of Health, more recent studies, which began abroad in 1999, have shown that cannabis can effectively and safely treat many forms of cancer.

Since 1999, there have now been a number of studies that clearly demonstrate that cannabis has the ability to effectively shrink tumors, kill cancer cells, and safely treat many aggressive forms of cancer, including brain, breast, skin, prostate, and lung cancer.

However, due to the political controversy that surrounds medical marijuana, some physicians still remain unaware of these valuable studies, and mistakenly believe the misguided government reports that cannabis actually causes cancer. In some cases, it may be important to educate your doctor about the important research discussed in this column.”

http://themidwestcultivator.com/marijuana-news-health/08-2011/cannabis-oil-fights-cancer

Marijuana May Fight Lung Tumors – CBSNews

“the active ingredient in marijuana may help combat lung cancer, new research suggests.

Moreover, other early research suggests the cannabis compound could help fight brain, prostate, and skin cancers as well, Preet says.

The finding builds on the recent discovery of the body’s own cannabinoid system, Preet says. Known as endocannabinoids, the natural cannabinoids stimulate appetite and control pain and inflammation.

THC seeks out, attaches to, and activates two specific endocannabinoids that are present in high amounts on lung cancer cells, Preet says. This revs up their natural anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation can promote the growth and spread of cancer.

In the new study, the researchers first demonstrated that THC inhibited the growth and spread of cells from two different lung cancer cell lines and from patient lung tumors. Then, they injected THC into mice that had been implanted with human lung cancer cells. After three weeks, tumors shrank by about 50 percent, compared with tumors in untreated mice.”

 http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500368_162-2696726.html

Marijuana Chemical Cannabidiol Halts Spread of Breast Cancer Tumors

“A non-psychoactive chemical that occurs naturally in the marijuana plant may prevent breast cancer from spreading, according to a study published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.

Researchers found that a chemical called cannabidiol (CBD) affects the activity of a gene known as Id-1 in patients with hormone-independent breast cancer.

“Right now we have a limited range of options in treating aggressive forms of cancer,” co-author Sean D. McAllister said. “Those treatments, such as chemotherapy, can be effective but they can also be extremely toxic and difficult for patients. This compound offers the hope of a non-toxic therapy that could achieve the same results without any of the painful side effects.”

The researchers also expressed hope that CBD will also prove effective against other cancers that rely on Id-1, including brain, colon and prostate cancer.” 

http://www.naturalnews.com/023340_breast_cancer_Marijuana.html#ixzz29PViQxfy

Can Cannabidiol (CBD) Fight Metastatic Cancer? According to the latest research the answer is yes. Important news for Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s new line of high concentrate CBD health and wellness products. – CNBC

 “…scientists at California Pacific Medical Center who have been researching marijuana’s compounds for the 20 years have found that Cannabidiol, or CBD, has the ability to “turn off” the DNA that causes “breast and other types of cancers” to metastasize. CBD is the second-most abundant cannabinoid within marijuana, but does not cause the psychotropic high of THC.”

 “We started by researching breast cancer,” said scientist Pierre Desprez. “But now we’ve found that Cannabidiol works with many kinds of aggressive cancers–brain, prostate–any kind in which these high levels of ID-1 are present.” Desprez said he is hopeful clinical trials will begin immediately. He currently has grant funding through the National Institutes of Health, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the U.S. Department of Defense and the California Breast Cancer Research Program.”

http://www.cnbc.com/id/49117540/Can_Cannabidiol_CBD_Fight_Metastatic_Cancer_According_to_the_latest_research_the_answer_is_yes_Important_news_for_Medical_Marijuana_Inc_s_new_line_of_high_concentrate_CBD_health_and_wellness_products

Marijuana Fights Cancer and Helps Manage Side Effects, Researchers Find

 “Mounting evidence shows ‘cannabinoids’ in marijuana slow cancer growth, inhibit formation of new blood cells that feed a tumor, and help manage pain, fatigue, nausea, and other side effects.

“Cannabidiol offers hope of a non-toxic therapy that could treat aggressive forms of cancer without any of the painful side effects of chemotherapy,” says McAllister, who is seeking support to conduct clinical trials with the marijuana compound on breast cancer patients.

Within the medical science community, the discovery that cannabinoids have anti-tumoral properties is increasingly recognized as a seminal advancement in cancer therapeutics.”
 

Marijuana And Cancer: Scientists Find Cannabis Compound Stops Metastasis In Aggressive Cancers

“A pair of scientists at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco has found that a compound derived from marijuana could stop metastasis in many kinds of aggressive cancer, potentially altering the fatality of the disease forever.

“What we found was that Cannabidiol could essentially ‘turn off’ the ID-1,” Desprez told HuffPost. The cells stopped spreading and returned to normal.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/marijuana-and-cancer_n_1898208.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false