Tag Archives: treatment

Cannabidiol: promise and pitfalls.

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“Over the past few years, increasing public and political pressure has supported legalization of medical marijuana.

One of the main thrusts in this effort has related to the treatment of refractory epilepsy-especially in children with Dravet syndrome-using cannabidiol (CBD).

Despite initiatives in numerous states to at least legalize possession of CBD oil for treating epilepsy, little published evidence is available to prove or disprove the efficacy and safety of CBD in patients with epilepsy. This review highlights some of the basic science theory behind the use of CBD, summarizes published data on clinical use of CBD for epilepsy, and highlights issues related to the use of currently available CBD products.

Cannabidiol is the major nonpsychoactive component of Cannabis sativa.

Over the centuries, a number of medicinal preparations derived from C. sativa have been employed for a variety of disorders, including gout, rheumatism, malaria, pain, and fever.

These preparations were widely employed as analgesics by Western medical practitioners in the 19(th) century.

More recently, there is clinical evidence suggesting efficacy in HIV-associated neuropathic pain, as well as spasms associated with multiple sclerosis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25346628

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/epilepsy-2/

Cannabis, cannabidiol, and epilepsy – From receptors to clinical response.

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“The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is becoming more prevalent.

For this purpose, various preparations of cannabis of varying strengths and content are being used.

The recent changes in the legal environment have improved the availability of products with high cannabidiol (CBD) and low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations.

There is some anecdotal evidence of their potential efficacy, but the mechanisms of such action are not entirely clear.

Some suspect an existence of synergy or “entourage effect” between CBD and THC.

There is strong evidence that THC acts via the cannabinoid receptor CB1.

The mechanism of action of CBD is less clear but is likely polypharmacological.

The scientific data support the role of the endocannabinoid system in seizure generation, maintenance, and control in animal models of epilepsy.

There are clear data for the negative effects of cannabis on the developing and mature brain though these effects appear to be relatively mild in most cases.

Further data from well-designed studies are needed regarding short- and long-term efficacy and side effects of CBD or high-CBD/low-THC products for the treatment of seizures and epilepsy in children and adults.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25282526

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/epilepsy-2/

Antiestrogenic effects of marijuana smoke condensate and cannabinoid compounds.

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“The antiestrogenic effects of marijuana smoke condensate (MSC) and three major cannabinoids, ie., delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN), were evaluated…

The results showed that MSC induced the antiestrogenic effect via the ER-mediated pathway, while THC, CBD, and CBN did not have any antiestrogenic activity.

This suggests that the combined effects of the marijuana smoke components are responsible for the antiestrogenicity of marijuana use.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16392670

“Antiestrogen treatment of breast cancer: an overview.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7044524

“Newly Found Estrogen Pathway Suggests Novel Breast Cancer Targets”   http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/newly-found-estrogen-pathway-suggests-novel-breast-cancer-targets/81250405/

“New Estrogen Mechanism Holds Novel Cancer Treatment Promise”
http://www.counselheal.com/articles/11565/20140929/new-estrogen-mechanism-holds-novel-cancer-treatment-promise.htm

“CB1 and CB2 receptors are novel molecular targets for Tamoxifen and 4OH-Tamoxifen.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24148245

“Scientists discover new role estrogen plays in cancer growth”  http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/scientists-discover-new-role-estrogen-plays-cancer-growth-article-1.1957877

“Antiestrogen-induced remissions in stage IV breast cancer.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1021225

“Antiestrogenic effects of marijuana smoke condensate and cannabinoid compounds.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16392670

“New estrogen-related breast cancer mechanism detected”   http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283168.php

“Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol targeting estrogen receptor signaling: the possible mechanism of action… Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), a biologically active constituent of marijuana, possesses a wide variety of pharmacological and toxicological effects (e.g., analgesia, hypotension, reduction of inflammation, and anti-cancer effects).”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25177025

“Anti-Estrogen Drugs to Treat Breast Cancer”  http://www.fccc.edu/cancer/types/breast/treatment/hormonal/anti-estrogen.html

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/breast-cancer/

 

Advances in the Management of MS Spasticity: Recent Observational Studies.

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“Clinical trials demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of an intervention under experimental conditions, but information on use under daily practice conditions is required to confirm the effectiveness and safety of new management options.

Clinical outcomes for THC:CBD oromucosal spray (Sativex®) in patients with treatment-resistant MS spasticity have been collected in post-marketing safety registries from the UK and Germany, a safety study from Spain and two observational studies from Germany, including one investigating its effects on driving ability.

Collectively, findings from daily practice support the long-term effectiveness and safety of THC:CBD oromucosal spray.

There was no evidence of abuse/misuse or other adverse events of special interest with a cannabis-based medicine and no impairment of driving ability.

Observational data and real world experience reinforce the efficacy and safety of THC:CBD oromucosal spray as reported in phase III clinical trials.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25278118

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/

Advances in the management of multiple sclerosis spasticity: recent clinical trials.

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“Most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience spasticity as the clinical course evolves. Associated symptoms include (often painful) spasms, urinary dysfunction and sleep disturbances. THC:CBD oromucosal spray (Sativex®) is approved for symptom improvement in adult patients with moderate to severe MS-related spasticity who have not responded adequately to other antispasticity medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity-related symptoms during an initial trial of therapy.

SUMMARY:

In pivotal clinical trials of THC:CBD oromucosal spray, a meaningful proportion of patients with treatment-resistant MS spasticity achieved clinically relevant improvement with active treatment versus placebo. The utility of a 4-week trial of therapy to identify patients who respond to treatment was demonstrated in an enriched-design study.

THC:CBD oromucosal spray was well tolerated in these studies, with no evidence of effects typically associated with recreational cannabis use.

In a subsequent post approval clinical trial, THC:CBD oromucosal spray had no statistically significant effect on cognition and mood compared with placebo.

Moreover, after 50 weeks’ treatment, approximately two-thirds of patients, physicians and caregivers reported improvement from baseline in spasticity based on global impressions of change.

In phase III clinical trials, approximately one-third of MS patients with treatment-resistant spasticity had a clinically relevant and statistically significant response to THC:CBD oromucosal spray.

In addition to a reduction in spasticity, responders experienced meaningful relief from associated symptoms.

THC:CBD oromucosal spray was generally well tolerated and efficacy was maintained over the longer term.

A post-approval clinical trial indicated no effect of THC:CBD oromucosal spray on cognition or mood after 50 weeks of use.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25278117

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/

Cannabis oil stopped my cancer says Lake Macquarie’s Susannah Patch

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“A LAKE Macquarie woman whose ‘‘aggressive’’ breast cancer spread to various parts of her body including her spine and lungs credits her remarkable recovery to cannabis oil.

Awaba woman Susannah Patch, 44, is one of a growing number of Hunter people who have treated themselves using an underground network of cannabis oil suppliers.

Although she had surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Ms Patch says most of her improvement has come since stopping chemotherapy against the advice of the cancer specialists and continuing with cannabis oil…

‘It is a distinct possibility that the cannabinoids may have ‘‘a place in the future treatment of cancer,’’

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2587931/cannabis-oil-stopped-my-cancer/?cs=12

“It’s breast cancer awareness month. Please, BE AWARE:” http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/its-breast-cancer-awareness-month-please-be-aware/

“A laboratory study of cannabidiol in estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells showed that it caused cancer cell death while having little effect on normal breast cells.” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page2

“Cannabidiol Induces Programmed Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells… In summary, we showed that CBD, a plant-derived cannabinoid, preferentially kills breast cancer cells…” http://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/10/7/1161.full

“Cannabidiol, a safe and non-psychotropic ingredient of the marijuana plant Cannabis sativa,” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19690824

“Cannabidiol (CBD) Shown To Kill Breast Cancer Cells” http://www.cafemom.com/group/99198/forums/read/19190923/Cannabidiol_CBD_Shown_To_Kill_Breast_Cancer_Cells

“Here, we show that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), reduces human breast cancer cell proliferation by blocking the progression of the cell cycle and by inducing apoptosis.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16818634

“Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis)” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26873/

“Cannabis has been shown to kill cancer cells…”
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page1

“…cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal cells… A laboratory study of delta-9-THC… showed that it damaged or killed the cancer cells… A laboratory study of cannabidiol… showed that it caused cancer cell death…” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page2

“Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not effect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death.” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page4

“Cannabis oil stopped my cancer says Lake Macquarie’s Susannah Patch” http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2587931/cannabis-oil-stopped-my-cancer/?cs=12

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/breast-cancer/

Neuroprotective Properties of Cannabigerol in Huntington’s Disease: Studies in R6/2 Mice and 3-Nitropropionate-lesioned Mice.

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“Different plant-derived and synthetic cannabinoids have shown to be neuroprotective in experimental models of Huntington’s disease (HD) through cannabinoid receptor-dependent and/or independent mechanisms.

Herein, we studied the effects of cannabigerol (CBG), a nonpsychotropic phytocannabinoid, in 2 different in vivo models of HD.

CBG was extremely active as neuroprotectant in mice intoxicated with 3-nitropropionate (3NP), improving motor deficits and preserving striatal neurons against 3NP toxicity.

In addition, CBG attenuated the reactive microgliosis and the upregulation of proinflammatory markers induced by 3NP, and improved the levels of antioxidant defenses that were also significantly reduced by 3NP.

We also investigated the neuroprotective properties of CBG in R6/2 mice. Treatment with this phytocannabinoid produced a much lower, but significant, recovery in the deteriorated rotarod performance typical of R6/2 mice.

Using HD array analysis, we were able to identify a series of genes linked to this disease (e.g., symplekin, Sin3a, Rcor1, histone deacetylase 2, huntingtin-associated protein 1, δ subunit of the gamma-aminobutyric acid-A receptor (GABA-A), and hippocalcin), whose expression was altered in R6/2 mice but partially normalized by CBG treatment.

We also observed a modest improvement in the gene expression for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), which is altered in these mice, as well as a small, but significant, reduction in the aggregation of mutant huntingtin in the striatal parenchyma in CBG-treated animals.

In conclusion, our results open new research avenues for the use of CBG, alone or in combination with other phytocannabinoids or therapies, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as HD.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25252936

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/huntingtons/

Effects of cannabidiol in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease: An exploratory double-blind trial.

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“Parkinson’s disease (PD) has a progressive course and is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.

… the endocannabinoid system has emerged as a promising target.

…Our findings point to a possible effect of CBD in improving quality of life measures in PD patients with no psychiatric comorbidities…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25237116

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/parkinsons-disease/

Drug-resistant MS spasticity treatment with Sativex® add-on and driving ability.

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“The aim of the present observational study was to determine the effects of a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray (Sativex® spray), brand name Sativex® , indicated for drug-resistant MS spasticity, on the driving ability of treated MS patients…

Treatment of MS patients with Sativex® does not negatively impact on driving ability and may improve moderate to severe treatment-resistant MS spasticity.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25208898

Using the endocannabinoid system as a neuroprotective strategy in perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

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“One of the most important causes of brain injury in the neonatal period is a perinatal hypoxic-ischemic event. This devastating condition can lead to long-term neurological deficits or even death. After hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, a variety of specific cellular mechanisms are set in motion, triggering cell damage and finally producing cell death.

Effective therapeutic treatments against this phenomenon are still unavailable because of complex molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. After a thorough understanding of the mechanism underlying neural plasticity following hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, various neuroprotective therapies have been developed for alleviating brain injury and improving long-term outcomes.

Among them, the endocannabinoid system emerges as a natural system of neuroprotection.

The endocannabinoid system modulates a wide range of physiological processes in mammals and has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in different paradigms of acute brain injury, acting as a natural neuroprotectant.

The aim of this review is to study the use of different therapies to induce long-term therapeutic effects after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, and analyze the important role of the endocannabinoid system as a new neuroprotective strategy against perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25206720