Tag Archives: cannabis

Spontaneous regression of septum pellucidum/forniceal pilocytic astrocytomas–possible role of Cannabis inhalation.

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“The purpose of this report is to document spontaneous regression of pilocytic astrocytomas of the septum pellucidum and to discuss the possible role of cannabis in promoting regression.

We report two children with septum pellucidum/forniceal pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) tumors… Neither patient received any conventional adjuvant treatment.

The tumors regressed over the same period of time that cannabis was consumed via inhalation, raising the possibility that the cannabis played a role in the tumor regression.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21336992

Targeting astrocytomas and invading immune cells with cannabinoids: a promising therapeutic avenue.

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“The last quarter century has borne witness to great advances in both the detection and treatment of numerous cancers. Even so, malignancies of the central nervous system, especially high-grade astrocytomas, continue to thwart our best efforts toward effective chemotherapeutic strategies.

With prognosis remaining bleak, the time for serious consideration of alternative therapies has arrived. Various preparations of the marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa, and related synthetic and endogenous compounds, may constitute just such an alternative.

Cannabinoids, although much maligned historically for their psychotropic effects and clear abuse potential, have long been used medicinally and are now staging an impressive comeback, as recent studies have begun to explore their powerful anti-tumoral properties.

In this study, we review in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting the use of cannabinoids for treatment of brain tumors. We further propose the continued intense investigation of cannabinoid efficacies as novel anti-cancer agents, especially in models recapitulating such properties within the unique environment of the brain.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17952648

Cannabinoid and cannabinoid-like receptors in microglia, astrocytes and astrocytomas

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“…compounds targeting cannabinoid-like receptors constitute promising therapeutics to manage neuroinflammation and eradicate malignant astrocytomas.

Importantly, the selective targeting of cannabinoid-like receptors should provide therapeutic relieve without inducing the typical psychotropic effects and possible addictive properties…

 Taken together, the studies outlined in this review suggest that stereotactic injection of high concentrations of CBD could constitute a useful regimen for neurosurgeons to use in the treatment of malignant astrocytomas and of excessive/chronic neuroinflammation.

Such a treatment could provide therapeutic effects both directly, by killing the astrocytoma and limiting its propagation, and indirectly, by reducing the accumulation of activated microglia or invading peripheral immune cells.

The fact that non-psychotropic cannabinoids acting through CB-like receptors affect such fundamental processes involved in microglial cell activation and astrocytoma propagation constitutes, in my opinion, one of the most exciting areas of research in our search for new chemotherapeutic agents to treat malignant brain tumors and new anti-inflammatory agents to temper the damage linked to chronic neuroinflammation.

Furthermore, the curative properties of cannabinoids do not overlap with currently available medicines, and therefore cannabinoid-based treatments constitute a new therapeutic platform.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2919281/

Use of Dronabinol for Cannabis Dependence: Two Case Reports and Review

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“Based on recent laboratory studies, dronabinol (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) has been shown to reduce cannabis withdrawal symptoms and the subjective effects of marijuana.

Given that agonist agents have been found to be effective for opiate and nicotine dependence, the clinical utility of dronabinol for cannabis dependence is a reasonable approach…

It is clear from the two cases that both patients found the induction onto dronabinol helpful.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2733248/

Dronabinol for the Treatment of Cannabis Dependence: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

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“… there are no effective medications for cannabis dependence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dronabinol, a synthetic form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a naturally occurring pharmacologically active component of marijuana, in treating cannabis dependence.

This is the first trial using an agonist substitution strategy for treatment of cannabis dependence. Dronabinol showed promise, it was well-tolerated, and improved treatment retention and withdrawal symptoms…

In conclusion, agonist substitution pharmacotherapy with dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, showed promise for treatment of cannabis dependence, reducing withdrawal symptoms and improving retention in treatment…

The trial showed that among adult cannabis-dependent patients, dronabinol was well accepted, with good adherence and few adverse events.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3154755/

 

5-Lipoxygenase and anandamide hydrolase (FAAH) mediate the antitumor activity of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid.

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“It has been recently reported that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, is able to kill glioma cells, both in vivo and in vitro, independently of cannabinoid receptor stimulation.

…the present investigation indicates that CBD exerts its antitumoral effects through modulation of the LOX pathway and of the endocannabinoid system…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18028339

Obesity and cannabis use: results from 2 representative national surveys.

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“We hypothesized that the prevalence of obesity would be higher in cannabis users than in nonusers… this analysis showed that even if cannabis consumption increases appetite, people using cannabis are less likely to be obese than people who do not use cannabis…

The authors conclude that the prevalence of obesity is lower in cannabis users than in nonusers.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21868374
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/174/8/929.long

Medical Marijuana Laws and Suicides by Gender and Age.

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:American Journal of Public Health Logo

 

“We estimated the association between legalizing medical marijuana and suicides.

Legalization was associated with a 10.8%  and 9.4% reduction in the suicide rate of men aged 20 through 29 years and 30 through 39 years, respectively.

Suicides among men aged 20 through 39 years fell after medical marijuana legalization compared with those in states that did not legalize.

The negative relationship between legalization and suicides among young men is consistent with the hypothesis that marijuana can be used to cope with stressful life events.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4232164/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24432945

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301612

“Legalizing Medical Marijuana May Lead To Fewer Suicides”  https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/04/marijuana-legalization-suicide_n_4726390.html

“Medical Marijuana Cuts Suicide Rates By 10% In Years Following Legalization”  http://www.medicaldaily.com/medical-marijuana-cuts-suicide-rates-10-years-following-legalization-268472

THC:CBD Spray and MS Spasticity Symptoms: Data from Latest Studies.

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“New clinical experience with 9-delta-tetrahydocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray (Sativex®)…

A randomized, placebo controlled long-term follow-up clinical trial with THC:CBD spray versus placebo demonstrated that it was not associated with cognitive decline, depression or significant mood changes…

THC:CBD oromucosal spray did not adversely influence standard driving ability in patients with moderate to severe MS spasticity…

Findings to date reinforce the efficacy and safety observed in Phase III clinical trials…

Importantly, no additional safety concerns were identified…

Thus, these new data support a positive benefit-risk relationship for THC:CBD oromucosal spray during longer-term use.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24457846

Repositioning therapy for thyroid cancer: new insights on established medications.

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“Experimental in vitro and in vivo evidence, as well as results of clinical studies, have indicated that molecular targets for medications currently available for the treatment of mood disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, metabolic disorders, and diabetes may be active and relevant in thyroid cancer.

For instance, the derivatives of cannabis and an anti-diabetic agent, metformin, are both able to inhibit extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), which is commonly activated in thyroid cancer cells.

We present here several examples of well-known medications that have the potential to become new therapeutics for patients with thyroid cancer. Repositioning of established medications for the treatment of thyroid cancer could broaden the scope of current therapeutic strategies. These diverse treatment choices could allow physicians to provide an individualized approach to optimize treatment for patients with thyroid cancer.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24446492