“Marijuana has been used in medicine for millennia, but it was not until 1964 that delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), its major psychoactive component, was isolated in pure form and its structure was elucidated. Shortly thereafter it was synthesized and became readily available. However, it took another decade until the first report on its antineoplastic activity appeared. In 1975, Munson discovered that cannabinoids suppress Lewis lung carcinoma cell growth. The mechanism of this action was shown to be inhibition of DNA synthesis. Antiproliferative action on some other cancer cells was also found. In spite of the promising results from these early studies, further investigations in this area were not reported until a few years ago, when almost simultaneously two groups initiated research on the antiproliferative effects of cannabinoids on cancer cells: Di Marzo’s group found that cannabinoids inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation, and Guzman’s group found that cannabinoids inhibit the growth of C6 glioma cell. Other groups also started work in this field, and today, a wide array of cancer cell lines that are affected is known, and some mechanisms involved have been elucidated.”
Category Archives: Gliomas
THC From Cannabis Destroys Cancer Cells
“The study results strongly suggest that if taken regularly, cannabis oil may be able to induce remission in leukemia patients without the horrendous side effects typically associated with standard radio-chemical treatment options. Although this is only one such study, other similar studies have shown equally impressive results.
Many of the active ingredients found in cannabis-derived drugs show exceptional promise in treating some of the greatest hurdles facing modern medical science. In addition to their aforementioned capacity for safely treating certain forms of deadly cancer, they also show great promise in alleviating autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and even inflammatory bowel disease. A growing number of experts also note their possible viability treating a range of neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig’s disease.”
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/thc-from-cannabis-destroys-cancer-cells/
Cannabinoid receptor 1 is a potential drug target for treatment of translocation-positive rhabdomyosarcoma
“Because cannabinoid receptor agonists are capable of reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis (cell death) in diverse cancer cells such as glioma, breast cancer, and melanoma, we evaluated whether CB1 is a potential drug target in rhabdomyosarcoma.
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children…
Our study shows that treatment with the cannabinoid receptor agonists HU210 (cloned THC from Hebrew University) and Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC from cannabis) lowers the viability of translocation-positive rhabdomyosarcoma cells through the induction of apoptosis…
These results support the notion that cannabinoid receptor agonists could represent a novel targeted approach for treatment of translocation-positive rhabdomyosarcoma.”
Full text: http://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/8/7/1838.long
A comparative study on cannabidiol-induced apoptosis in murine thymocytes and EL-4 thymoma cells
“It has been shown that leukemia and glioma cells are sensitive to cannabidiol (CBD)-induced apoptosis (programmed cell death)….the cellular events and sensitivity to CBD-induced apoptosis between murine thymocytes and EL-4 thymoma cells were compared. Cannabidiol markedly induced apoptosis in a time- and concentration-related manner in both cells… The results demonstrated that both thymocytes and EL-4 thymoma cells were susceptible to CBD-induced apoptosis…”
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…”
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
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…”
Cannabis Science Extracts Kill Cancer Cells In Cancer Patients Being Treated Through Its Licensed Distributor Rockbrook
“Cannabis Science, Inc. a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana derivative) products, is pleased to announce that numerous patients are reporting that Cannabis Science extract treatments are killing cancer cells.
Unlike most conventional cancer treatments, cannabis has an outstanding safety profile, and patients in states with medical marijuana laws are able to make an informed decision to legally try various cannabis preparations to determine what is most effective for their particular condition.
Some of these scientifically informed patients have chosen to self-administer Cannabis Science extracts supplied by Rockbrook to treat their own cancers. Cannabis Science is delighted that patients are reporting dramatic improvements in their conditions, including basal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer accompanied by COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), ovarian cancer, and glioma.”
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/22/idUS223662+22-Feb-2011+BW20110222