Category Archives: Leukemia

The endocannabinoid system and cancer: therapeutic implication

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“The endocannabinoid system is implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions (inflammation, immunomodulation, analgesia, cancer and others).

The main active ingredient of cannabis, Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9) -THC), produces its effects through activation of CB(1) and CB(2) receptors. CB(1) receptors are expressed at high levels in the central nervous system (CNS), whereas CB(2) receptors are concentrated predominantly, although not exclusively, in cells of the immune system.

Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid-signalling molecules that are generated in the cell membrane from phospholipid precursors. The two best characterized endocannabinoids identified to date are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Here we review the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and anti-tumour actions (inhibition of cell proliferation and migration, induction of apoptosis, reduction of tumour growth) of the cannabinoids in different types of cancer.

This review will focus on examining how activation of the endocannabinoid system impacts breast, prostate and bone cancers in both in vitro and in vivo systems. The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for cancer, as identified in clinical trials, is also discussed.

Identification of safe and effective treatments to manage and improve cancer therapy is critical to improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary suffering in cancer patients. In this regard, cannabis-like compounds offer therapeutic potential for the treatment of breast, prostate and bone cancer in patients.

Further basic research on anti-cancer properties of cannabinoids as well as clinical trials of cannabinoid therapeutic efficacy in breast, prostate and bone cancer is therefore warranted.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21410463

“The available literature suggests that the endocannabinoid system may be targeted to suppress the evolution and progression of breast, prostate and bone cancer as well as the accompanying pain syndromes. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that cannabinoids are efficacious in reducing cancer progression (i.e. inhibition of tumour growth and metastases as well as induction of apoptosis and other anti-cancer properties) in breast, prostate and bone cancer. Although this review focuses on these three types of cancer, activation of the endocannabinoid signalling system produces anti-cancer effects in other types of cancer.” http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01327.x/full

Cannabis destroys cancer cells

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“Scientists working in the UK have revealed that cannabis has the potential to destroy leukemia cells.

The team – based at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry in London – have followed up on their previous findings that the main active ingredient in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has the potential to be used effectively against some forms of cancer.

THC has previously been shown to attack cancer cells by interfering with important growth-processing pathways, however its mechanism of doing so has remained a mystery. Now, Dr Liu and his colleagues, using microarray technology – allowing them to simultaneously detect changes in more than 18,000 genes in cells treated with THC – have begun to uncover the existence of processes through which THC can kill cancer cells and potentially promote survival.”

http://www.labnews.co.uk/news/cannabis-destroys-cancer-cells/

 

THC From Cannabis Destroys Cancer Cells

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“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/

NBC News Reports that Cannabidiol (CBD) “Turns Off” the Cancer Gene Involved in Metastasis Findings by Scientists at California Pacific Medical Center gives Scientific Support for Cannabis Science Initiatives

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“cannabidiol, (CBD), has the ability to “turn off” a gene that causes breast and other types of cancers to metastasize, according to the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.

“What they found is that the cannabinoid turns off the overexpression of ID-1, which makes the cells lose their ability to travel to distant tissues. In other words, it keeps the cells more local and blocks their ability to metastasize. (spread to a new location) The researchers stressed cannabidiol works only on cancer cells that have these high levels of ID-1 and these do not include all cancerous tumors but, rather, aggressive, metastatic cells. But they’ve found such high levels in leukemia, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, ovarian, brain and other cancers.””

http://www.cnbc.com/id/49106127/NBC_News_Reports_that_Cannabidiol_CBD_Turns_Off_the_Cancer_Gene_Involved_in_Metastasis_Findings_by_Scientists_at_California_Pacific_Medical_Center_gives_Scientific_Support_for_Cannabis_Science_Initiatives

Cannabis plant extract ‘could stop aggressive cancers from spreading’

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“A compound found in cannabis could halt the spread of many forms of aggressive cancer, scientists say.

Researchers 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.”

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2206056/Cannabis-compound-stop-breast-cancer-spreading.html#ixzz29PKHhfoL
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Cannabis: Time for Scientific Evaluation of This Ancient Remedy?

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” It is clear, therefore, that there is sufficient anecdotal clinical data and sound experimental data to encourage proper scientific evaluation of the potential therapeutic benefit of cannabis. Although it undoubtedly possesses the potential for psychic and physical dependency, these are considerably less than the undesirable effects of opioids. The time is now appropriate, therefore, for proper evaluation of this ancient remedy.”

http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/content/90/2/237.long

A comparative study on cannabidiol-induced apoptosis in murine thymocytes and EL-4 thymoma cells

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“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…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18387516

Cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic

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“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

Cannabis-induced cytotoxicity in leukemic cell lines: the role of the cannabinoid receptors and the MAPK pathway

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“We therefore investigated the role of the CB-Rs (CannaBinoid-Receptors) in mediating apoptosis in 3 leukemic cell lines… We have shown that THC is a potent inducer of apoptosis… THC-induced cell death…”

http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/content/105/3/1214.long

Cannabis Science Publishes List of Over 800 Peer-Reviewed Cannabis and Cancer References From Scientists Around the World

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“This list of peer-reviewed manuscripts, provides support for the anecdotal observations of an increasing number of patients claiming successful cancer treatment using medical cannabis extracts.”

“The scientific documentation of the anti-cancer and anti-metastatic properties of cannabinoids is a driving force behind behind our long-term goal, to make high quality, effective, reliable and safe cannabis extracts available to the public beyond the borders of current medical marijuana states.”

http://www.drugs.com/clinical_trials/cannabis-science-publishes-list-over-800-peer-reviewed-cannabis-cancer-references-scientists-around-12716.html

https://www.cannabisscience.com/index.php/news-media/news-archive/215-cannabis-science-publishes-list-of-over-800-peer-reviewed-cannabis-and-cancer-references-from-scientists-around-the-world