“Carcinogens found in tobacco are also concentrated in marijuana, but the latter also contains high levels of cannabinoids, bioactive compounds responsible for several effects such as euphoria and analgesia. However, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), the major psychotropic cannabinoid found in plants, causes a reduction of cellular metabolism and induction of apoptosis (progarmmed cell death), both of which are anti-neoplastic properties…”
Category Archives: Cancer
Cannabinoids Induce Apoptosis of Pancreatic Tumor Cells via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress–Related Genes
“The hemp plant Cannabis sativa produces unique compounds known as cannabinoids, of which Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most important… The present study was undertaken to investigate the antitumoral action of cannabinoids in pancreatic cancer and the molecular mechanisms involved in that effect… Cannabinoids induce apoptosis of pancreatic tumor cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes…These findings may contribute to set the basis for a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.”
Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits cell cycle progression in human breast cancer cells through Cdc2 regulation.
” Here, we show that Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), through activation of CB(2) cannabinoid receptors, reduces human breast cancer cell proliferation by blocking the progression of the cell cycle and by inducing apoptosis… these data might set the bases for a cannabinoid therapy for the management of breast cancer.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16818634
Cannabis-induced cytotoxicity in leukemic cell lines: the role of the cannabinoid receptors and the MAPK pathway
“We therefore investigated the role of the CB-Rs (CannaBinoid-Receptors) in mediating apoptosis in 3 leukemic cell lines… We have shown that THC is a potent inducer of apoptosis… THC-induced cell death…”
http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/content/105/3/1214.long
Harvard Study: Marijuana Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half
“The active ingredient in marijuana cuts tumor growth in common lung cancer in half and significantly reduces the ability of the cancer to spread, say researchers at Harvard University who tested the chemical in both lab and mouse studies.”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417193338.htm
Cannabinoids in pancreatic cancer: Correlation with survival and pain
“Cannabinoids exert antiproliferative properties in a variety of malignant tumors, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma … Cannabinoids can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells…Furthermore, they have been shown to decrease invasiveness of cancer cells.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2225529/?tool=pubmed
Anti-tumoral Action of Cannabinoids
“Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, the main active component of marijuana… Here, we show that intratumoral administration of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol…
”Remarkably, cannabinoids kill glioma cells selectively and can protect non-transformed glial cells from death…”
CANNABINOIDS: POTENTIAL ANTICANCER AGENTS
The study by Manuel Guzmán of Madrid Spain found that cannabinoids, the active components of marijuana, inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals. They do so by modulating key cell-signalling pathways, thereby inducing direct growth arrest and death of tumor cells, as well as by inhibiting the growth of blood vessels that supply the tumor.
Anti-tumoral action of cannabinoids on hepatocellular carcinoma: role of AMPK-dependent activation of autophagy
“Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer-related death worldwide… few therapeutic options are available… we investigated the effects of cannabinoids–a novel family of potential anticancer agents–on the growth of HCC. We found that Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC, the main active component of Cannabis sativa)… reduced the viability of the human HCC cell lines…cannabinoids were also able to inhibit tumor growth… Our findings may contribute to the design of new therapeutic strategies for the management of HCC.”
The endocannabinoid system in prostate cancer
“Accumulating evidence indicate that the endocannabinoid system is dysregulated in prostate cancer… Overexpression of several components of the endocannabinoid system correlate with prostate cancer grade and progression, potentially providing a new therapeutic target for prostate cancer… several cannabinoids exert antitumoral properties against prostate cancer, reducing xenograft prostate tumor growth, prostate cancer cell proliferation and cell migration… the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids against prostate cancer is very promising…”