St George’s, University. UK: Experts have shown that when certain parts of cannabis are used to treat
cancer tumours alongside radiotherapy treatment the growths can
virtually disappear. The new research by specialists at St George’s, University of London,
studied the treatment of brain cancer tumours in the laboratory and
discovered that the most effective treatment was to combine active
chemical components of the cannabis plant which are called cannabinoids.
Two of these called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol
(CBD)were tested as part of the research into brain cancer which is
particularly difficult to treat and claims the lives of about 5,200 each
year. It also has a particularly poor prognosis as the rate of survival
after five years of patients’ diagnosis is around 10%.
Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in cannabis and are also known
more specifically as phytocannabinoids. There are 85 known cannabinoids
in the cannabis plant.
The new research is the first to show a drastic effect when combining
THC and CBD with irradiation. Tumours growing in the brains of mice
were drastically slowed down when THC/CBD was used with irradiation.
Dr Wai Liu, Senior Research Fellow and lead researcher on the
project, said: “The results are extremely exciting. The tumours were
treated in a variety of ways, either with no treatment, the cannabinoids
alone, and irradiation alone or with both the cannabinoids and
irradiation at the same time.
“Those treated with both irradiation and the cannabinoids saw the
most beneficial results and a drastic reduction in size. In some cases,
the tumours effectively disappeared in the animals. This augurs well for
further research in humans in the future. At the moment this is a
mostly fatal disease.
“The benefits of the cannabis plant elements were known before but
the drastic reduction of brain cancers if used with irradiation is
something new and may well prove promising for patients who are in
gravely serious situations with such cancers in the future.”
The research team are discussing the possibility of combining cannabinoids with irradiation in a human clinical trial.
The research has been published in the Molecular Cancer Therapeutics journal.
Notes to Editors:
Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in cannabis and are also known
more specifically as phytocannabinoids. There are 85 known cannabinoids
in the cannabis plant. The primary psychoactive component of cannabis is
called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis is a controlled substance
in the UK and is most commonly known as a recreational drug.
The cannabis plant is known for its medicinal properties and has been
used to relieve symptoms associated with cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple
sclerosis, anorexia, anxiety, depression, and numerous other illnesses
and conditions.