The endocannabinoid signaling system in cancer.

Posted on March 1, 2014 by David

“The endocannabinoid system, comprising lipid-derived endocannabinoids, their G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and the enzymes for their metabolism, is emerging as a promising therapeutic target in cancer.

This report highlights the main signaling pathways for the antitumor effects of the endocannabinoid system in cancer and its basic role in cancerpathogenesis, and discusses the alternative view of cannabinoid receptors as tumor promoters.

We focus on new players in the antitumor action of the endocannabinoid system and on emerging crosstalk among cannabinoid receptors and other membrane or nuclear receptors involved in cancer.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23602129

Increased cannabinoid receptor 1-immunoreactive nerve fibers in overactive and painful bladder disorders and their correlation with symptoms.

Posted on February 25, 2014 by David

“To study the expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) in human urinary bladder hypersensitivity and overactivity disorders, and correlate changes with symptoms. Cannabinoid receptor agonists have been shown to modulate urinary bladder contractility and reduce pain after bladder inflammation; their clinical efficacy on lower urinary tract symptoms was demonstrated in the Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis study…

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this study suggest that increased nerve fibers, which express CB1, may be related to bladder pain in PBS (painful bladder syndrome) and urgency in IDO (idiopathic detrusor overactivity).

Our findings support clinical trials of CB1 agonists in bladder disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20346490

Bladder function in a cannabinoid receptor type 1 knock-out mouse.

Posted on September 24, 2013 by David

“OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bladder function in an established cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor knock-out mouse model via organ bath (in vitro) and urodynamic (cystometric; in vivo) experiments.

CONCLUSIONS: In vitro, bladder strips from CB1 KO mice responded to muscarinic receptor stimulation similar to WT controls, but were less responsive to electrical stimulation of nerves. In vivo, CB1 KO mice had a higher micturition frequency and more spontaneous activity than WT animals.

The present findings suggest that CB1 receptors are involved in peripheral and central nervous control of micturition.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24053792

“Cannabinoid receptor 1 also plays a role in healthy bladder.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24053739

Therapeutic potential of cannabinoid medicines.

Posted on September 6, 2013 by David

Drug Testing and Analysis

“Cannabis was extensively used as a medicine throughout the developed world in the nineteenth century but went into decline early in the twentieth century ahead of its emergence as the most widely used illicit recreational drug later that century. Recent advances in cannabinoid pharmacology alongside the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) have re-ignited interest in cannabis-based medicines.

The ECS has emerged as an important physiological system and plausible target for new medicines. Its receptors and endogenous ligands play a vital modulatory role in diverse functions including immune response, food intake, cognition, emotion, perception, behavioural reinforcement, motor co-ordination, body temperature, wake/sleep cycle, bone formation and resorption, and various aspects of hormonal control. In disease it may act as part of the physiological response or as a component of the underlying pathology.

In the forefront of clinical research are the cannabinoids delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, and their contrasting pharmacology will be briefly outlined. The therapeutic potential and possible risks of drugs that inhibit the ECS will also be considered. This paper will then go on to review clinical research exploring the potential of cannabinoid medicines in the following indications: symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis, chronic neuropathic pain, intractable nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and weight in the context of cancer or AIDS, psychosis, epilepsy, addiction, and metabolic disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24006213

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.1529/abstract

Cannabis Ingredient Can Help Cancer Patients Regain Their Appetites And Sense Of Taste

Posted on June 15, 2013 by David

“The active ingredient in cannabis can improve the appetites and sense of taste in cancer patients, according to a new study published online in the cancer journal, Annals of Oncology today.

Loss of appetite is common among cancer patients, either because the cancer itself or its treatment affects the sense of taste and smell, leading to decreased enjoyment of food. This, in turn, can lead to weight loss, anorexia, a worse quality of life and decreased survival; therefore, finding effective ways of helping patients to maintain a good diet and consume enough calories is an important aspect of their treatment.

The majority of THC-treated patients (64%) had increased appetite, three patients (27%) showed no change, and one patient’s data was incomplete. No THC-treated patients showed a decrease in appetite. By contrast, the majority of patients receiving placebo had either decreased appetite (50%) or showed no change (20%).

Although there was no difference in the total number of calories consumed by both groups, the THC-treated patients tended to increase the proportion of protein that they ate, and 55% reported that savoury foods tasted better, whereas no patients in the placebo group reported an increased liking for these foods. (Cancer patients often find that meat smells and tastes unpleasant and, therefore, they eat less of it).

In addition, THC-treated patients reported better quality of sleep and relaxation than in the placebo group.”

More: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/217062.php

HIGH HOPE ON CANCER

Posted on June 5, 2013 by David

“MEN who regularly smoke cannabis may have a lower risk of developing bladder cancer, research suggests.”

“Scientists found regular cannabis users were 45% less likely to get the disease compared with men who didn’t smoke the drug.

Anil Thomas of Los Angeles Medical Centre in California tracked the incidence of bladder cancer among 82,050 men aged 45 to 69.

Men who reported using cannabis once or twice had no reduction in the incidence of the cancer while those who had used the drug more than 500 times showed a reduction.

Dr Thomas said: “Bladder cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in men.

“The results could lead to further studies to determine if the active components of cannabis have biologic activity against bladder cancer.””

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/317889High-hope-on-cancer

Study claims marijuana tied to lower bladder cancer risk – USA TODAY

Posted on June 5, 2013 by David

“A new study compared the risk of bladder cancer in more than 83,000 men who smoked cigarettes only, marijuana only, or both substances. New research says smoking pot may be less likely to cause bladder cancer than smoking cigarettes.”

“The finding is potentially valuable, the study authors said, given the ongoing debate over legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.”

More: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/11/study-claims-marijuana-tied-to-lower-bladder-cancer-risk/2153019/

“Association Between Cannabis Use and the Risk of Bladder Cancer: Results From the California Men’s Health Study.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25623697

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

Study Claims Marijuana Tied to Lower Bladder Cancer Risk

Posted on June 5, 2013 by David

“Cannabis use only was associated with a 45 percent reduction in bladder cancer incidence, and tobacco use only was associated with a 52 percent increase in bladder cancer,” said study author Dr. Anil A. Thomas, a fellow in urology at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles…

“The theory is that there are receptors in the bladder that are affected by cannabis,” he said.

The cannabinoids [compounds] in the marijuana may link with the cannabinoid receptors in the bladder and somehow protect against cell changes that can lead to cancer..”

More: http://www.healthfinder.gov/News/Article/676121/study-claims-marijuana-tied-to-lower-bladder-cancer-risk

“…using tobacco only was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, whereas cannabis use only was associated with a 45% reduction in bladder cancer… cannabis use may be inversely associated with bladder cancer risk…” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25623697

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

Yourwellness Magazine Follows Up Cannabis Bladder Cancer Study

Posted on June 5, 2013 by David

“With a new study finding that smoking cannabis may be less likely to cause bladder cancer than smoking cigarettes, Yourwellness Magazine investigated how soon it will be until cancer immunisations become a reality.

According to a new study, funded by the Kaiser Permanente Research and Evaluation Centre and yet to be published, smoking cannabis may be less likely to cause bladder cancer than smoking cigarettes. This was based on data from more than 83,000 men who smoked cigarettes only, marijuana (cannabis) only, or both substances. The investigators found that men who only smoked pot were the least likely to develop bladder cancer over the course of 11 years.

Study author Dr. Anil A. Thomas, a fellow in urology at Kaiser Permanente Medical Centre in Los Angeles, who presented the findings May 6th at the American Urological Association annual meeting in San Diego, commented, “Cannabis use only was associated with a 45% reduction in bladder cancer incidence, and tobacco use only was associated with a 52% increase in bladder cancer.” He explained, “The theory is that there are receptors in the bladder that are affected by cannabis.”

More: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2013/6/prweb10758783.htm

“Association Between Cannabis Use and the Risk of Bladder Cancer: Results From the California Men’s Health Study.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25623697

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

“Miracle” Cannabis Oil: May Treat Cancer, But Money and the Law Stand in the Way of Finding Out

Posted on May 30, 2013 by David

“Cannabis oil, which cancer-sufferers credit with saving their lives, and which is supposedly useful in healing other ailments, from diabetes to skin rashes, is made by distilling raw bud down to its essential ingredients.”

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“First it was a cough. Then it was bronchitis. Then it was time to say goodbye to Michelle Aldrich.

The year 2011 was supposed to be a good one for the 66-year-old. That June, she and her husband, Michael, were feted with a lifetime achievement award by High Times magazine for their four decades of work on marijuana legalization. Yet something was off. She was smoking a lot, maybe more than ever.

And she couldn’t get high.

In the fall of that year — a bad time for the local marijuana movement, as the federal Justice Department began shutting down hundreds of California medical cannabis dispensaries — Aldrich went in to see a series of doctors for what she thought was a flu that just refused to go away.

After six weeks of progressively worse diagnoses — flu became bronchitis, which became pneumonia — a CT scan revealed the cause behind the “heat” she felt in the middle of her chest. A tumor, “poorly-differentiated non-small cell adenocarcinoma.” In other words, stage 3 lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a killer, with nearly 70 percent of new cases resulting in deaths, according to statistics published by the National Cancer Institute. “I thought I was going to die,” Aldrich says from her Marina District apartment. But she didn’t. And now, she is busy telling anyone who will listen that, along with diet and chemotherapy, a concoction of highly concentrated cannabis oil eliminated her cancer in less than four months.”

More: http://www.sfweekly.com/2013-04-24/news/key-words-cannabis-oil-cure-cancer-constance-finley/full/