“One of the most intriguing and unexplored actions of cannabinoids is their ability to control cell growth. Thus, cannabinoids have been shown to induce antiproliferative effects through the CB1 receptor… we have recently shown that cannabinoids are able to modulate through the CB1 receptor the activity of the PI3K/protein kinase B pathway, which serves as a pivotal antiapoptotic signal…”
Category Archives: Cancer
Cannabidiol-induced apoptosis in primary lymphocytes is associated with oxidative stress-dependent activation of caspase-8
“Cannabidiol-induced apoptosis in primary lymphocytes is associated with oxidative stress-dependent activation of caspase-8” and “The non-psychoactive cannabidiol triggers caspase activation and oxidative stress in human glioma cells… we have shown that the non-psychoactive cannabinoid compound cannabidiol (CBD) induces apoptosis (cell death) of glioma cells in vitro and tumor regression…”
Cannabinoids: A new hope for breast cancer therapy?
“Experimental evidence accumulated during the last decade supports that cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa and their derivatives, possess anticancer activity… these compounds exert anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-migratory and anti-invasive actions in a wide spectrum of cancer cells… Moreover, tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis are hampered by cannabinoids… our current knowledge on the anti-tumor potential of cannabinoids in breast cancer… suggests that cannabinoid-based medicines may be useful for the treatment of most breast tumor subtypes.”
Rimonabant inhibits human colon cancer cell growth and reduces the formation of precancerous lesions in the mouse colon
“Rimonabant inhibits human colon cancer cell growth and reduces the formation of precancerous lesions…” and “Cannabinoid receptor activation induces apoptosis… in colon cancer cells”
Cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic
“Cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic… Cannabis smoke contains cannabinoids whereas tobacco smoke contains nicotine (plus added carcinogens). Available scientific data, that examines the carcinogenic properties of inhaling smoke and its biological consequences, suggests reasons why tobacco smoke, but not cannabis smoke, may result in lung cancer… Furthermore, compounds found in cannabis have been shown to kill numerous cancer types including: lung cancer, breast and prostate, leukemia and lymphoma, glioma, skin cancer, and pheochromocytoma…”-
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1277837/?tool=pubmed
Concomitant consumption of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco in oral squamous cell carcinoma development and progression: Recent advances and challenges
“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…”
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