Marijuana mouth spray for cancer patients tough to abuse – NBC

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“The medical marijuana drug Sativex, which could be approved in the United States in the coming years as a treatment for pain relief, has little potential for abuse, experts say.

The British pharmaceutical company GW Pharmaceuticals is currently testing the drug, which is delivered as a mouth spray and called Sativex, in clinical trials. The company plans to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the drug as a treatment for cancer pain when the trials are completed, likely sometime in 2014, a spokesperson for GW Pharmaceuticals told MyHealthNewsDaily.

The active ingredients in Sativex, known as cannabinoids, are derived from the cannabis plant. It is the first marijuana-based drug to be made by extracting the compounds from the plant, rather than synthesizing them. Two other drugs, Marinol and Cesamet, based on synthetic cannabinoids, were approved by the FDA in the 1980s.”

More: http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/01/31/10280678-marijuana-mouth-spray-for-cancer-patients-tough-to-abuse?lite

Cannabis Science Reports Cancer Tumors Continues to Shrink and Die as Apparent Pieces of the Dying Cancer Tumors Begin to Fall off as Evidenced in Newest Photos of the 3rd Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patient

“Cannabis Science, Inc. a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana) products, is pleased to release new updated photos from the 3rd cancer patient self-administering cannabis extracts. This patient has severe squamous cell carcinoma on their head that was resistant to chemo and radiation therapy, which left the patient with large tumor masses on their head. With these new photo updates you can see the drastic change in appearance of the tumors and how the topical cannabis extract is killing them. 

Cannabis Science has been working very closely with this patient and is continuing to see vast improvement to his treatment resistant squamous cell carcinoma. Prior to using cannabis-based extracts this patient had received radiation and chemotherapy for his condition. This patient notices a huge difference between the treatments and had stated, “While on radiation treatments, each day was stressful and after each treatment I felt horrible as if my entire body was dying organ by organ. While using the Oil, I have noticed that my overall health seems much better. I sleep the recommended hours, unlike the insomnia I suffered while on radiation, and unlike the radiation that caused the restless sleep and nightmares, on the Oil I sleep like a baby.” The patient also mentioned that while showering they would see bits and pieces of the tumor falling off with the water as he was cleaning his head.

This patient is very pleased with the results of the topical cannabis extract so far and said he enjoyed absolutely nothing about radiation and felt constantly sick and just overall unhealthy, but with using the oil he said, “I feel myself being restored, not tortured.””

More: http://www.drugs.com/clinical_trials/cannabis-science-reports-cancer-tumors-continues-shrink-die-apparent-pieces-dying-cancer-tumors-13168.html

Cannabis says success in 4th brand new self-administering cancer patient

“Cannabis Science Inc., a pioneering US biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana) products, has introduced 4th cancer patient with basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) on his left nostril, who is self-administering a topical cannabis extract and having noticeable results.

Cannabis Science has received images and documented information from this 4th patient who has basal cell carcinoma on his left nostril. The patient is enrolled in a photographic mole-mapping programme at the University of Colorado Hospital and is examined annually. The last time he was examined was in October of 2011, where his doctors found a small bump on his left nostril that was less and 1/8″ in diameter, and believed it to be basal cell carcinoma. At that time it was too early to be certain if it was in-fact basal cell carcinoma.

By January 2012 the small bump on his left nostril had grown slightly and had developed a rough scaly texture similar to his previous episodes of basal cell carcinoma. The patient began self-administering cannabis extract oil (CT-1) topically to the spot on his left nostril in the middle of January. The patient immediately reported minor irritation of the spot but that the surrounding healthy skin was not irritated. The rough scaly texture and the minor irritation disappeared by day four of treatment and by day nine of treatment the bump had shrunk considerably and was almost imperceptible to the touch. In these three images you can notice a significant reduction in the lesion.

This patient has a history of having five different episodes of basal cell carcinoma starting at the age of 27, and had one malignant melanoma at age 35. He is now 46, and has suffered from numerous severe sunburns which caused blistering and peeling. This patient was diagnosed with dysplastic nevus syndrome (over 100 atypical moles) and has been told that he is certain to have additional melanomas at some point in the future. Doctors have already confirmed that he has had basal cell carcinoma on his right jaw line, which resulted to Mohs procedure that was performed in December of 2011.

Cannabis Science, Inc. is at the forefront of pharmaceutical grade medical marijuana research and development. The second formulations will address the needs of patients choosing to use concentrated cannabis extracts to treat their ailments.

 Eventually, all Americans will have access to a safe and effective FDA approved medicine regardless of which state they live in.”

http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=67354&sid=2 

Physician’s documentation confirms successful treatment of basal cell carcinoma with topical cannabis extract

“We are pleased to announce that we have physician’s documentation that confirms the successful treatment of basal cell carcinoma that resulted from the application of a topical cannabis extract.” 

Currently, there is a tremendous amount of controversy with respect to the effects that cannabinoids have on cancers. Endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids have demonstrated cancer killing and anti-metastatic properties in tissue culture and in animal models.

While formal, proper, FDA approved clinical trials that would prove or disprove the therapeutic potential of cannabis extracts for treating cancers; trials have not been carried out. Nevertheless, a significant number of anecdotal observations have accumulated that suggest people suffering from a variety of cancers appear to have been cured by ingesting what is known as “Rick Simpson’s hemp oil”.”

More: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110407/Physicians-documentation-confirms-successful-treatment-of-basal-cell-carcinoma-with-topical-cannabis-extract.aspx

Muscular Dystrophy-Cannabinoids-Symptom Relief

“Cannabinoids Help Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms: Cannabinoids are now known to have the capacity for neuromodulation, via direct, receptor-based mechanisms, at numerous levels within the nervous system. 

These provide therapeutic properties that may be applicable to the treatment of neurological disorders, including anti-oxidative, neuroprotective effects, analgesia, anti-inflammatory actions, immunomodulation, modulation of glial cells and tumor growth regulation. 

Beyond that, the cannabinoids have also been shown to be “remarkably safe with no potential for overdose.”

(vaporizing) Marijuana:

“miraculously improved his quality of life so much so that he left his family and friends in New Jersey to live in California, where he can readily get his medication.”

Sublingual (under the tongue)-tincture (alcohol based) or infused oil (olive or food grade glycerin or coconut)

Topicals (salves, ointments, balms) for muscle pain and spasms.

Cannabinoids:  increase appetite, analgesic (rid pain), muscle relaxant, saliva reduction, bronchodialation,  and sleep induction.

 

CBD-rich strains are best choice.  Sativa dominant x Indica.”

More: http://medicalmarijuana.com/medical-marijuana-treatments/MD

Bay Area Researchers Claim Cannabis Can Cure Cancer

“Marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes–relieving stress and pain and fighting hunger and nausea–for centuries if not millennia. But now, a pair of doctors in San Francisco claim that they’ve compiled reliable data showing that a certain compound in cannabis–cannabidiol–may actually cure cancer.”

Bay Area Researchers Claim Cannabis Can Cure Cancer

“Unlike THC, the ingredient in marijuana that makes you feel stoned, cannabidiol is a non-toxic compound of the plant that has no psychoactive qualities, and it’s been the focus of an ongoing series of trials at the San Francisco-based California Pacific Medical Center. There, physicians Sean McAllister and Pierre Desprez claim they’ve successfully used cannabidiol to fight animal genes involved in the spread of cancer. Now they hope to be allowed to conduct anti-cancer research using cannabidiol on actual humans.”

Study: No Association Between Cannabis Smoke and Risk of Lung Cancer

“Numerous preclinical studies have documented that cannabinoids possess potent anti-cancer properties, including the inhibition of lung cancer cell growth.

In a recent presentation given at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research, investigators from the University of California, Los Angeles provided the latest data reaffirming that cannabis consumption is not associated with an elevated risk of lung cancer.

Numerous preclinical studies have documented that cannabinoids possess potent anti-cancer properties, including the inhibition of lung cancer cell growth.”

More: http://salem-news.com/articles/may202013/pot-cancer.php

The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic exploitation.

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“The term ‘endocannabinoid’ – originally coined in the mid-1990s after the discovery of membrane receptors for the psychoactive principle in Cannabis, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and their endogenous ligands – now indicates a whole signalling system that comprises cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands and enzymes for ligand biosynthesis and inactivation. This system seems to be involved in an ever-increasing number of pathological conditions. With novel products already being aimed at the pharmaceutical market little more than a decade since the discovery of cannabinoid receptors, the endocannabinoid system seems to hold even more promise for the future development of therapeutic drugs. We explore the conditions under which the potential of targeting the endocannabinoid system might be realized in the years to come.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15340387

http://www.nature.com/nrd/journal/v3/n9/full/nrd1495.html

Cannabinoids.

“Since the discovery of an endogenous cannabinoid system, research into the pharmacology and therapeutic potential of cannabinoids has steadily increased. Two subtypes of G-protein coupled cannabinoid receptors, CB(1) and CB(1), have been cloned and several putative endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids) have been detected during the past 15 years. The main endocannabinoids are arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), derivatives of arachidonic acid, that are produced “on demand” by cleavage of membrane lipid precursors.

 Besides phytocannabinoids of the cannabis plant, modulators of the cannabinoid system comprise synthetic agonists and antagonists at the CB receptors and inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation. Cannabinoid receptors are distributed in the central nervous system and many peripheral tissues, including immune system, reproductive and gastrointestinal tracts, sympathetic ganglia, endocrine glands, arteries, lung and heart. There is evidence for some non-receptor dependent mechanisms of cannabinoids and for endocannabinoid effects mediated by vanilloid receptors.

Properties of CB receptor agonists that are of therapeutic interest include analgesia, muscle relaxation, immunosuppression, anti-inflammation, antiallergic effects, improvement of mood, stimulation of appetite, antiemesis, lowering of intraocular pressure, bronchodilation, neuroprotection and antineoplastic effects. The current main focus of clinical research is their efficacy in chronic pain and neurological disorders. CB receptor antagonists are under investigation for medical use in obesity and nicotine addiction. Additional potential was proposed for the treatment of alcohol and heroine dependency, schizophrenia, conditions with lowered blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease and memory impairment in Alzheimer’s disease.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16266285

Marijuana may help patients with Crohn’s disease, study says

“New research published earlier this month might have more patients with Crohn’s disease turning to medical marijuana for relief.”
 
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects around 500,000 people in North America.

 

In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, an 8-week treatment regimen involving daily smoking of marijuana ‘cigarettes’ resulted in a reduction in overall disease severity in 10 of the 11 patients that were studied. 5 of these patients experienced complete remission of their disease.

 

The results were published online in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology and authored by scientists at the Meir Medical Clinical in Israel. Israel has one of the most fastest growing medical marijuana programs in the world, with over 11,000 registered patients as of today — up from just 400 in 2009.

 

While the researchers say that their study was the first placebo-controlled trial — the “gold standard” when it comes to medical research — to investigate the effects of marijuana use on patients with Crohn’s disease, other studies have produced similar results.

 

Based on findings from both animal and human research, experts suggest that cannabis could play a role in the treatment of Crohn’s and other inflammatory bowel diseases by regulating intestinal hyperactivity, inflammation and pain.

 

Marijuana’s medical properties come directly from compounds known as cannabinoids, including the well-known tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) molecule. Interestingly, the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant have been shown to mimic the activity of endocannabinoids – cannabinoids that are produced naturally by the human body.

 

Similarly, studies have identified a variety of digestive functions that can be modulated by cannabinoid activity, especially in inflammatory disease states.

 

Although the findings of the current study provide considerable support for the use of marijuana as a Crohn’s disease treatment, the authors call for more studies to “look into the role of cannabinoids in controlling inflammation and symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease.”

 

Indeed, larger studies may be able to provide stronger confirmation or perhaps refute the findings of the newest study, which failed to demonstrate complete remission of Crohn’s in the majority of the treatment group.

 

Still, the authors concluded their research by stating, “a short course of THC-rich cannabis produced significant clinical, steroid-free benefits to 11 patients with active Crohn’s disease, compared to placebo, without side effects.””

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/350495