“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.”
Tag Archives: medical marijuana
CANNABIDIOL INHIBITS ANGIOGENESIS BY MULTIPLE MECHANISMS
“Background and purpose: Several studies demonstrated anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic actions of cannabinoids on several tumours, together with their anti-angiogenic properties. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) effectively inhibits in vitro and in vivo the growth of different types of tumours and down-regulates some pro-angiogenic signal produced by glioma cells. As its anti-angiogenic properties have not been thoroughly investigated to date, and given its very favorable pharmacological and toxicological profile, here we evaluated CBD ability to modulate tumour angiogenesis. Experimental approach: We firstly evaluated CBD effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and viability- through MTT assay and FACS analysis-and in vitro motility-both in a classical Boyden chamber test and in a wound-healing assay. We next investigated CBD effects on different angiogenesis-related proteins released by HUVECs, using an angiogenic Array Kit and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) directed at MMP2. Afterwards we evaluated in vitro angiogenesis in treated HUVECs invading a Matrigel layer and in HUVEC spheroids embedded into collagen gels. We further characterized CBD effects using a Matrigel sponge model of in vivo angiogenesis. Key results: CBD induced HUVEC cytostasis without inducing apoptosis, inhibited HUVEC migration, invasion, and sprouting in vitro, and angiogenesis in vivo in matrigel sponges. These effects were associated with down-modulation of several angiogenesis-related molecules. Conclusions and Implications: This study reveals that CBD inhibits angiogenesis by multiple mechanisms. Its dual effect on both tumour and endothelial cells reinforces the hypothesis that CBD could represent a potential effective agent in cancer therapy.”
Cannabidiol Induces Programmed Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells by Coordinating the Cross-talk between Apoptosis and Autophagy
“Cannabidiol (CBD), a major nonpsychoactive constituent of cannabis, is considered an antineoplastic agent on the basis of its in vitro and in vivo activity against tumor cells. However, the exact molecular mechanism through which CBD mediates this activity is yet to be elucidated. Here, we have shown CBD-induced cell death of breast cancer cells, independent of cannabinoid and vallinoid receptor activation. Electron microscopy revealed morphologies consistent with the coexistence of autophagy and apoptosis. Western blot analysis confirmed these findings. We showed that CBD induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and, subsequently, inhibits AKT and mTOR signaling as shown by decreased levels of phosphorylated mTOR and 4EBP1, and cyclin D1. Analyzing further the cross-talk between the autophagic and apoptotic signaling pathways, we found that beclin1 plays a central role in the induction of CBD-mediated apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Although CBD enhances the interaction between beclin1 and Vps34, it inhibits the association between beclin1 and Bcl-2. In addition, we showed that CBD reduces mitochondrial membrane potential, triggers the translocation of BID to the mitochondria, the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol, and, ultimately, the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in breast cancer cells. CBD increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ROS inhibition blocked the induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Our study revealed an intricate interplay between apoptosis and autophagy in CBD-treated breast cancer cells and highlighted the value of continued investigation into the potential use of CBD as an antineoplastic agent.”
THC inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation through JunD
“Tetrahydrocannabinol is a potent inhibitor of proliferation in cultured breast cancer cells and exerts its effect through the JunD transcription factor complex, researchers report.
There is increasing evidence that cannabinoids, the active components of marijuana, possess antitumoral properties by inhibiting proliferation and angiogenesis or promoting apoptosis.
A previous study reported by MedWire News showed that cannabidiol, a non-toxic phytocannabinoid, can inhibit breast cancer spread in a rodent model of the disease.
In the present study, Cristina Sanchez (Complutense University, Madrid, Spain) and colleagues turned their attention to the more potent plant-derived cannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
“These findings point therefore to a new target to inhibit breast cancer progression, which may contribute to the design of efficient treatments for this malignancy,’ Sanchez et al conclude in the journal Oncogene.”
The Data is Very Strong: Marijuana Plant Extract Stops Cancers From Spreading
” A compound found in cannabis could halt the spread of many forms of aggressive cancer, scientists say.
Researchers have now found that the compound, called cannabidiol, had the ability to ‘switch off’ the gene responsible for metastasis in an aggressive form of breast cancer. Importantly, this substance does not produce the psychoactive properties of the cannabis plant.
Nonpsychoactive cannabinoids, such as cannabidoil, are particularly advantageous to use because they avoid toxicity that is encountered with psychoactive cannabinoids at high doses useful in the method of the present invention. CBD (Cannabidiol), one of the main constituents of the cannabis plant has been proven medically to relieve many diseases including the inhibition of cancer cell growth. Recent studies have shown it to be an effective atypical anti-psychotic in treating schizophrenia. CBD also interferes with the amount of THC your brain processes, balancing the psychotropic effect of marijuana. That is precisely why the power of raw cannabis is turning heads.”
Marijuana May Fight Lung Tumors – CBSNews
“the active ingredient in marijuana may help combat lung cancer, new research suggests.
Moreover, other early research suggests the cannabis compound could help fight brain, prostate, and skin cancers as well, Preet says.
The finding builds on the recent discovery of the body’s own cannabinoid system, Preet says. Known as endocannabinoids, the natural cannabinoids stimulate appetite and control pain and inflammation.
THC seeks out, attaches to, and activates two specific endocannabinoids that are present in high amounts on lung cancer cells, Preet says. This revs up their natural anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation can promote the growth and spread of cancer.
In the new study, the researchers first demonstrated that THC inhibited the growth and spread of cells from two different lung cancer cell lines and from patient lung tumors. Then, they injected THC into mice that had been implanted with human lung cancer cells. After three weeks, tumors shrank by about 50 percent, compared with tumors in untreated mice.”
Marijuana Compound Fights Cancer; Human Trials Next
“The “medical” bit of medical marijuana may be legitimate after all: Turns out a component of cannabis fights cancer, according to research.
Scientists at California Pacific Medical Center found that cannabidiol, or CBD, has the ability to “turn off” the DNA that causes “breast and other types of cancers” to metastasize, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“If this plant were discovered in the Amazon today, scientists would be falling all over each other to be the first to bring it to market,” said Dr. Donald Abrams, chief of oncology at the University of California San Francisco, which has also found science behind marijuana’s efficacy.”
Pot Helped Doctor Fight Cancer
“When Dan Shapiro was diagnosed with Hodgkins’ disease in 1987, he called a friend who had also battled cancer.
His friend’s advice, Shapiro says, came in a six-word package: “Cancer is grim, man, get weed.”
Shapiro, who’s been in remission for nine years, said the marijuana helped him stay functional despite the notoriously-debilitating chemotherapy. He wrote about his experiences in his recent book Mom’s Marijuana (Harmony, 2000).”
Marijuana Chemical Cannabidiol Halts Spread of Breast Cancer Tumors
“A non-psychoactive chemical that occurs naturally in the marijuana plant may prevent breast cancer from spreading, according to a study published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.
Researchers found that a chemical called cannabidiol (CBD) affects the activity of a gene known as Id-1 in patients with hormone-independent breast cancer.
“Right now we have a limited range of options in treating aggressive forms of cancer,” co-author Sean D. McAllister said. “Those treatments, such as chemotherapy, can be effective but they can also be extremely toxic and difficult for patients. This compound offers the hope of a non-toxic therapy that could achieve the same results without any of the painful side effects.”
The researchers also expressed hope that CBD will also prove effective against other cancers that rely on Id-1, including brain, colon and prostate cancer.”
http://www.naturalnews.com/023340_breast_cancer_Marijuana.html#ixzz29PViQxfy
Cannabis compound ‘halts cancer’
“A compound found in cannabis may stop breast cancer spreading throughout the body, US scientists believe.
The California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute team are hopeful that cannabidiol or CBD could be a non-toxic alternative to chemotherapy.
Unlike cannabis, CBD does not have any psychoactive properties so its use would not violate laws, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics reports.
CBD works by blocking the activity of a gene called Id-1 which is believed to be responsible for the aggressive spread of cancer cells away from the original tumour site – a process called metastasis.
This compound offers the hope of a non-toxic therapy that could achieve the same results without any of the painful side effects.”