Marijuana compound THC treatment for Brain Tumors

The term medical marijuana took on dramatic new meaning in February 2000, when researchers in Madrid announced they had destroyed incurable brain tumors in rats by injecting them with THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. This report shows the medicinal value of marijuana and cancer treatment.
The Madrid study marks only the second time that THC has been administered to tumor-bearing animals. In 1974, researchers at the Medical College of Virginia, who had been funded by the National Institutes of Health to find evidence that marijuana damages the immune system, found instead the medicinal value of marijuana and cancer treatment. THC slowed the growth of three kinds of cancer in mice — lung and breast cancer, and a virus-induced leukemia.

The DEA however, quickly shut down the Virginia study and all further marijuana and cancer treatment studies, according to Jack Herer, who reports on the events in his book, The Emperor Wears No Clothes. In 1976, President Gerald Ford put an end to all public marijuana and cancer research and granted exclusive research rights to major pharmaceutical companies, who set out — unsuccessfully — to develop synthetic forms of THC that would deliver all the medical benefits without the “high.”

The Madrid researchers reported in the March issue of Nature Medicine that they injected the brains of 45 rats with cancer cells, producing tumors whose presence they confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ). On the 12th day they injected 15 of the rats with THC and 15 with Win-55,212-2, a synthetic compound similar to THC. “All the rats left untreated uniformly died 12-18 days after glioma ( brain cancer ) cell inoculation … Cannabinoid ( THC )-treated rats survived significantly longer than control rats. THC administration was ineffective in three rats, which died by days 16-18. Nine of the THC-treated rats surpassed the time of death of untreated rats, and survived up to 19-35 days. Moreover, the tumor was completely eradicated in three of the treated rats.” The rats treated with Win-55,212-2 showed similar results.

The Spanish researchers, led by Dr. Manuel Guzman of Complutense University, also irrigated healthy rats’ brains with large doses of THC for seven days, to test for harmful biochemical or neurological effects. They found none.

“Careful MRI analysis of all those tumor-free rats showed no sign of damage related to necrosis, edema, infection or trauma … We also examined other potential side effects of cannabinoid administration. In both tumor-free and tumor-bearing rats, cannabinoid administration induced no substantial change in behavioral parameters such as motor coordination or physical activity. Food and water intake, as well as body weight gain, were unaffected during and after cannabinoid delivery. Likewise, the general hematological profiles of cannabinoid-treated rats were normal. Thus, neither biochemical parameters nor markers of tissue damage changed substantially during the seven-day delivery period or for at least two months after cannabinoid treatment ended.”

Another piece of valuable information in the use of the active ingredients in marijuana and cancer treatment.

Marijuana compound CBD treatment for Breast Cancer

Here’s an ironic story about marijuana and cancer treatment:

On Wed Jun 20, 2007, ABC NEWS reported that Connecticut’s governor, Gov. Jodi Rell, a cancer survivor, vetoed a bill that would have allowed people with certain serious illnesses to use marijuana, saying it was fraught with problems and sent a mixed message to children. Gov. Jodi Rell goes on to say Tuesday that she struggled with the decision.

“I am not unfamiliar with the incredible pain and heartbreak associated with battling cancer,” the Republican said. Rell was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, a few months after taking office, and she underwent a mastectomy.

The bill she vetoed sealed the fate of the people older than 18 with medical conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and AIDS to grow and use four marijuana plants after getting written permission from a doctor and registering with the state. The Connecticut Governors’ veto virtually threw out to the window in ever allowing the use of marijuana and cancer treatment for cancer patients.

But what the Governor failed to see was that at the same time, a compound of the marijuana plant may prevent aggressive breast cancers from spreading throughout the body, new research from the United States suggests. A team of researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute say cannabis compound CBD (cannabidiol) could provide a non-toxic alternative to chemotherapy for cancer treatments.

Previous research has shown the compound can block human brain cancers, and recent lab experiments have shown it may be able to do the same for breast cancer. This is just one of the medicinal values of marijuana and cancer treatment. The research suggests further that the active ingredient in the compound (CBD) from marijuana and cancer treatment does not share the psychoactive properties. CBD works by blocking the activity of gene Id-1, which is associated with metastasis — the spread of cancer cells away from the original tumor site. The compound does not share marijuana’s psychoactive properties.

“Right now we have a limited range of options in treating aggressive forms of cancer. Those treatments, such as chemotherapy, can be effective but they can also be extremely toxic and difficult for patients,” said researcher Dr. Sean McAllister in a release. “This compound offers the hope of a non-toxic therapy that could achieve the same results without any of the painful side effects.” “We know that Id-1 is a key regulator of the spread of breast cancer,” said senior author Dr. Pierre-Yves Desprez in a release. “We also know that Id-1 has also been found at higher levels in other forms of cancer. So what is exciting about this study is that if CBD can inhibit Id-1 in breast cancer cells, then it may also prove effective at stopping the spread of cancer cells in other forms of the disease, such as colon and brain or prostate cancer.” Researchers stressed that they were not encouraging cancer patients to smoke pot, adding that it would be highly unlikely for patients to receive an effective concentration of the compound in that way. The team’s findings were published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.

Would the Governor change her mind had she been cured by the medicinal value of marijuana and cancer cell killing capabilities of its compound?

Possibility of Marijuana and Cancer Treatment

In a study on marijuana and cancer by scientists from the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, they reported that with a compound called CBD, an extraction from marijuana, cancer may be cured. This is according to the lead scientist of CPMCRI, Dr. Sean D. McAllister. CBD may prevent the scattering of breast cancer cells in the body.

The potential of CBD is very promising, researchers claimed, since it could be the first harmless and non-toxic treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Known treatments for cancer in general have limited extent of effectiveness. Chemotherapy for instance, may be effective but both toxic and painful to anybody undergoing the treatment of breast cancer. Marijuana extract CBD may achieve the same objective, less the injurious process though. This discovery is another link between use of marijuana and cancer treatment.

The cancer gene known as Id-1 is believed to be the culprit in the proliferation of cancerous cells in the body. It does not only attack the tumor site but other healthy cells as well. By manipulating CBD, cancer cell Id-1 has demonstrated slower activity.
The research team was excited with this development. Although the research was focused on breast cancer, other forms of cancer such as that in the colon, brain or prostate may also benefit. This is so because Id-1 is much more aggressive in these forms of cancer.

The researchers issued a caveat as well: smoking marijuana is the wrong process in treating breast cancer. As such, they do not advocate it. According to them, the required CBD concentration to effectively counter the Id-1 activity is not achieved by smoking marijuana. Cancer cells would remain active. Moreover, CBD is not categorized as a psychoactive drug but Schedule I. As such, it needs further manipulation.

The California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute had done a research on marijuana and cancer, which reported that a compound CBD may present effective outcomes in preventing breast cancer cells from disseminating throughout the body. The researchers have reported that CBC may be the first non-toxic means, which presents possibilities in metastatic kinds of breast cancer treatment. The lead author of such study on marijuana and cancer, Sean McAllister had stated that a limited extent of options treating aggressive or fatal forms of cancer exists. Chemotherapy and other treatments may be effective although these treatments inflict toxic side-effects to patients. The study on marijuana and cancer had also presented that CBD offers a promise of non-toxic therapy to patients.

The researchers reported that this may be the first non-toxic means that displays potential in treating metastatic kinds of breast cancer. According to Sean D. McAllister, Ph.D., a cancer researcher at CPMCRI and the lead author of the study, there is a limited extent of alternatives treating aggressive forms of cancer. Treatments, like chemotherapy, may be effective. However, such treatments have toxic side-effects and are painful for patients to undergo. This new compound discovered proposes a promise of a non-toxic therapy that could accomplish similar outcomes without any of the undesirable consequences.

Hemp (Marijuana) Oil and Cancer

A new policy statement has been issued by the American College of Physicians (ACP) endorsing the use of medical marijuana. The group that studied the positive link between marijuana and cancer urged the government to annul their ban on medical marijuana treatments. ACP, upon obtaining results from their study on marijuana and cancer, had encouraged the use of non-smoked forms of THC, which have proven to be a therapeutic cure to diseases. The group, which is based in Philadelphia and the second largest group of doctors in U.S. had cited different studies associating marijuana and cancer treatment. The doctors had acknowledged medical applications such as vomiting and treating nausea associated with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and treating sever weight loss associated with AIDS and other illnesses.

The group had stated that medical marijuana is becoming more and more linked to cancer treatment due to its anti-carcinogenic effects, responsible in the prevention or disruption of cancer development. In their study on marijuana and cancer, the group had discovered that cannabinoids can provide therapeutic option during the treatment of cancer patients, specifically those with highly invasive cancers.

ACP had encouraged the government to make the use of medical marijuana legal as it will benefit millions of people who have cancer and other fatal diseases. The group had also provided video clips in which explanations on the link between marijuana and cancer treatment and testimonials from people who got cured are included.

The International Medical Verities Association is in favor of THC laden hemp oil for primary cancer therapy. It wants to put hemp oil as one of its cancer protocols. Even medical science favors the therapeutic effects of hemp oil. Many studies have already proven a favorable link between medical use of marijuana and cancer treatment. As such, it is included in a prioritized protocol list with top five items including sodium bicarbonate, selenium, chloride, iodine, and Alpha Lipoic.

Based on several studies linking marijuana and cancer, hemp oil has been recognized as one of the most beneficial substances throughout history. It has been considered as food to malnourished people because of its high essential fatty acid content as well as its omega3 to omega6 ratio. The hemp plant has been used in medicinal teas and elixirs due to its healing compounds. Thus, medical science today has been favoring such compounds as its active substances.

The commercial legal type of hemp oil as well as the illegal THC laden hemp oil is considered one of the most protein-packed sources available among plants. Hemp oil can be utilized in transdermal and nutritional applications.

MARIJUANA HAS A USE AFTER ALL

American scientists, led by Dr. Sean McAllister, revealed that through a component of marijuana, cancer can be eradicated. According to the research team on marijuana and cancer treatment from California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute (CPMCRI), cannabidiol or CBD could be a better alternative than known treatments such as chemotherapy because it is organic. It would practically eliminate the pain and toxicity accompanying chemotherapy in treating cancer. Marijuana, in spite of its reputation as a “high” drug, is a cure after all.

Of the 400 active integrants of marijuana, CBD is one of the most promising to cure cancer due to its healing properties. It can prevent inflammation that could cause imbalance in the homeostatic state of the human cells. The other active component of marijuana is THC, which is also being subjected to further studies in other parts of the world, particularly Spain.

The perceived function of CBD in curing cancer is its capability to block or slow down the activities of Id-1, the culprit in spreading cancer cells from the tumor to other healthy cells. The process of spreading of the cancer cells is called metastasis.

In previous studies on use of marijuana and cancer treatment, CBD proved a blocker of Id-1 in more aggressive forms of cancer such as brain cancers. The research of CPMCRI is geared towards breast cancer, marijuana content CBD may prove equally effective.
There are already available plant chemicals serving as cancer drugs such as vincristine. It is more intriguing though to see if those who oppose the legalization of marijuana would eventually allow its use in curing breast cancer.

Chemotherapy is regarded as the closest method to cure cancer. Though it has proven effective at times, every patient undergoing the treatment would have to endure toxicity and pain. In fact, there are even times that the treatment kills patients prematurely.

There are lots of people who openly use marijuana. Even if they are using it for a different purpose, they always claim that it is medicinal; and now, it is being considered against cancer. Marijuana was even given a nickname, “Rastaman’s herb.”

For the mystics, marijuana is considered as the herb against the sore mentioned in the Book of Revelations. This sore would strike the “children of men” physically and psychically. That sore is what we call in the modern times as cancer. Cancer was even an unknown disease prior to World War II. Countering the sore is an herb that will be used in healing the nations and the people. This is cannabis or marijuana.
Though the mystic viewpoint of marijuana will outrage the major member of the society, science is slowly discovering is usefulness in the medical field. No less than Dr. McAllister affirmed that treatment of cancer using marijuana, particularly its CBD component, will virtually eliminate the harmful and painful side effects of cancer treatment.

Breast cancer organizations are welcoming such development on use of marijuana and cancer treatment. According to Maria Leadbeater of Breast Cancer Care, any drug without the side effects is “of great interest.”

If and when marijuana will be legalized for cancer treatment is solely dependent on its medical use. If CBD will prove effective as it is perceived to be, then with marijuana, cancer can be combated.

Greater Risks of Cancer Found in Alcohol than Marijuana

According to Danish researchers, the risk of breast cancer doubles in women who drink around two bottles or more of wine a week. A study on the link between marijuana and cancer aggravation compared to alcohol was conducted on women who drank 22-27 drinks a week. The European Journal of Public Health had reported that the risk of having cancer was greatest in women who drank wine or alcohol in a short period as compared to marijuana smokers.

Based on this report, women are advised to limit the amount of alcohol they drink. In a study consisted of women with ages more than 44 years and drank a moderate amount of alcohol, found out that even small amounts of alcohol can ameliorate the risk of breast cancer.

As compared to alcohol, another study on marijuana and cancer has demonstrated that marijuana smoke consists of many carcinogens similar to tobacco. These include certain aromatic hydrocarbons with greater concentrations such as benzopyrene. These hydrocarbons raise the assumption that continuous inhalation of marijuana may be a risk factor for cancer development or aggravation. On the other hand, marijuana smoke also consists of cannabinoids including CBD or cannabidiol and THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in which alcohol does not have. These cannabinoids are non-carcinogenic and contain anti-cancer properties in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, alcohol and nicotine promote cancer cell development and blood supply. The study on marijuana and cancer had also found out that cannabinoids stimulate biological responses and activities, which may reduce the carcinogenic smoke effects including down-regulating the inflammatory arm of the immune system responsible in the production of potentially carcinogenic free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms, which are responsible in accelerating the progress of cancer.

Users of marijuana who are concerned with the rapid onset of action associated with inhalation and potential harms of marijuana smoke can cut down on their intake of carcinogenic compounds through vaporization instead of smoking the drug. According to different studies on marijuana and cancer aggravation, marijuana vaporization limits toxins in the respiratory system through heating marijuana to a temperature where the formation of cannabinoid vapors occurs. This may be around 180 – 190 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature should be below consumption point where associated toxins and noxious smoke are produces. This may be near 230 degrees Celsius. Based on the studies on marijuana and cancer, vaporization is considered to be a preferred method of using marijuana since it can carry doses of cannabinoids simultaneously with reducing the intake of carcinogenic smoke. More so, vaporization is considered as a safer method of marijuana administration as compared to inhaling marijuana from a water pipe or smoking marijuana cigarettes. According to the findings of a recent clinical trial on marijuana and cancer, use of the vaporizing device called “Volcano” delivers set doses of THC to participants in a reproducible way as in suppresses the intake of toxins in the respiratory system.

Evaluating the Risks of Marijuana Smoke in Cancer Development

A critical investigation should be done in order to confirm suppositions involving a link between marijuana and cancer development in body systems specifically in the lungs. Over the past decades, epidemiological studies have presented diverse findings between cancers of the pharynx, esophagus, rectum, oral cavity, larynx, liver, and colon. These studies have also presented findings that tobacco smoking can also cause similar effect such as cancer in the upper aerodigestive tract, kidneys, pancreas, and bladder. More so, smoking tobacco has been found to inflict cancer in the liver and stomach.

A few epidemiological and/or clinical studies that focused on using marijuana and cancer have been conducted recently; however, the results were not conclusive. In the past 10 years, scientists in different countries have also conducted their own research on the association between marijuana and cancer. Most of the findings have claimed that cannabinoids can stop the dissemination of countless cancer cells including brain cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer. As published in the British Journal of Cancer, a 2006 patient trial had reported that the infliction of THC was related with decreased tumor cell proliferation in humans who have advanced glioblastoma.

In another study on marijuana and cancer published in the scientific journal, Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, Italian researchers have came up with the finding that Cannabinoids have presented a large potency in reduction of glioma tumor growth. The researchers have stated that the Cannabinoids tend to be selective anti-tumoral agents because they are able to destroy glioma cells without affecting the non-transformed counterparts. However, any mainstream media outlet did not report their findings.

There is no conclusive link between marijuana and cancer. However, in other studies, certain cellular abnormalities have been identified in the lungs more frequently in marijuana smokers as compared to non-smokers. The results of these studies have suggested that the combination of long-term exposure to marijuana and smoking tobacco damages the bronchial system, which can lead to respiratory cancers.

The public and government officials should cautiously be able to define the obscurity of the results gathered in different studies and experiments on marijuana and cancer. The results should not be construed as an imputation of its possible health hazards or an endorsement of the safety of marijuana.

The United States government was believed to keep the possible advancements with regard to using marijuana and cancer treatment, maintaining its stand that marijuana is illegal and should not be used whether on recreational or medical purposes. Thus, people are left speculating on the real score between use of marijuana and cancer treatment/development. Governments of different countries should be able to consider possible advancements of using marijuana and cancer treatment and not close their doors on the issue. If marijuana is truly a cure to cancer, then there is no need to leave people suffer longer.

Government Information on Marijuana and Cancer Kept from Public

In 2008, Senator Ted Kennedy had undergone a surgery for malignant glioma, a fatal type of brain tumor. Kennedy had managed to put a brave face after his surgery although he would still undergo at least 4 to 6 weeks of radiation therapy and repeated chemotherapy every eight weeks depending on his response. On the other hand, supporters of medical marijuana claimed that there might be other alternatives for treatment of gliomas and some other cancers and that the government might know something about those alternatives.

In a review of preclinical and clinical studies, which evaluated the potential link between marijuana and cancer treatment had findings that the use of cannabinoids may be useful as anti-cancer agents. At least 30 separate trials as well as literature reviews had been focused on the potential therapeutic effect of marijuana and cancer treatment. Many people may not be familiar with such scientific researches; however, the government may be behind the “secrecy.”

In 1974, an experiment that focused on the possible anti-cancer effects of marijuana and cancer treatment was done at the Medical College of Virginia at the knowledge and directive of federal officials. A report on the findings of the experiment was featured at the Washington Post newspaper, which stated that the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, THC, had slowed the growth of cancers in lungs and breasts. More so, the experiment had also indicated a slowed growth in a virus-induced leukemia in laboratory mice, prolonging their lives by 36%.

The preliminary findings on the link between marijuana and cancer were published in 1975 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Although it had presented favorable possibilities, the United States government had continued to refuse the authorization of a follow-up investigation. It was only in the 1990s that the United States National Toxicology Program conducted a preclinical trial on the same study. The study was done secretly and cost $2 million. It had concluded that the laboratory rats and mice used, which were applied with high doses of THC over long periods, yielded greater protection against tumors compared to untreated controls.

On the other hand, in spite of the favorable findings on the link between marijuana and cancer treatment, the government had kept the results from the public until a draft copy was leaked to the AIDS Treatment News. The medical journal had then forwarded the findings to the national media.

The United States government is yet to authorize an additional study since the National Toxicology trial was completed. The additional study should be able to examine the potential capability of marijuana to cure cancer through its potential anti-cancer properties. It is necessary to ask permission from the federal government before any clinical research can be done on marijuana and cancer treatment since the drug is considered a schedule I controlled substance; thus, it has an illegal status.

Marijuana Might Cure Cancer

As the funded study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) on marijuana and cancer had revealed no link between smoking marijuana and cancer aggravation, more substantial questions came to light. Based on the findings of NIDA, marijuana smoke has the possibility of protecting the user against its own inherent carcinogenic properties although most people know that marijuana smoke consists of carcinogenic compounds.

In a more recent report published online in Forbes.com, marijuana and cancer are again being associated; however, the report suggested that marijuana might be a cure for cancer.

The researchers of Harvard University have discovered through laboratory and mouse studies that delta -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) separates the growth of tumor into half in cancer, specifically in the lungs. At the same time, THC obstructs the ability of cancer to spread. According to a pulmonary specialist, Dr. Len Horovitz of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, THC appears to have an effect that suppresses certain lines of cancer cells.

The researchers have also asserted that THC represses lung cancer through suppressing the epidermal growth factor, which is a molecule enhancing the growth and spread of aggressive small cell lung cancers. This is truly a development in the association between marijuana and cancer.

Andrea Barthwell, who once claimed that marijuana caused lung cancer, had an experience at an ONDCP press conference of being asked persistently to cite an evidence for her claim. She was not able to cite a reference and so most people found her claim funny. However, an inverse association between marijuana and cancer seemed to be funnier for most people. This is because people have the notion that if marijuana users do not get cancer, then so are tobacco users.

Conversely, many people believe that marijuana smokers fail to acquire lung cancer because of their reduced consumption as compared to that of cigarette smokers. However, people are overwhelmed with reported studies that THC suppresses cancerous cells and that an inverse association between marijuana and cancer is indeed possible. Among other things, such development leads people to assume that when THC is applied to the lungs through methods other than smoking, it might be even better. Each year, it has been evident that the debate over use of medical marijuana and cancer development becomes less.

A Research Reveals Marijuana Destroys Cancer Cells

In 2006, researchers at Barts and the London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry had investigated the relationship between marijuana and cancer therapy. The team leader of the researchers, Dr. Wai Man Liu had stated that marijuana has the potential of destroying leukemia cells. The report was published in the Letters in Drug Design & Discovery. The researchers had followed up on the results of their study in 2005 on marijuana and cancer therapy, which presented that tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the main ingredient in marijuana, has the potential of destroying some forms of cancer.

Since the end of their study in 2005, Dr. Liu had moved to the Institute of Cancer in Sutton to continue his work on investigating new anti-cancer agents with potential therapeutic effect.

In previous studies, researchers have acknowledged that marijuana-based medicines produce advantages in treatment of patients with cancer. These medicines serve as appetite stimulant, nausea reduction, and painkiller; recently however, evidence has been establishing marijuana potentially as an anti-tumor agent. On the other hand, this evidence has complicated the capacity of marijuana to be an anti-tumor agent because of its consequent legal status as well as its widely reported psychoactive side effects. Nevertheless, reports and studies have not yet established exactly how use of marijuana and cancer treatment are related although the main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana and related compounds have been demonstrated to destroy cancer cells through interference in significant growth-processing pathways.

Dr. Liu and his group have begun to discover further existing crucial processes in which THC can be able to destroy cancer cells and possible stimulate survival. The researchers were able to arrive at such discovery through using highly sophisticated microarray technology that allowed them to detect changes in over 25,000 genes in cells treated simultaneously with THC. Dr. Liu, in addition to this report, had also found that the mechanism of marijuana may be self-determining from the presence of receptors including proteins located on the cells’ surface through which the binding of other signaling molecules occur. Such binding of molecules to receptors draws out a response in the cell whether it grows or dies. The result that demonstrates marijuana action may not necessitate the presence of receptors initiates the possibility that use of marijuana and cancer treatment is positively linked. The finding opens the door that the drug may be used more extensively as dependence of cancer cells on the marijuana receptor is taken out.

In addition, Dr. Liu had stated that it is substantial to emphasize that marijuana-like substances are far removed from the marijuana that is smoked. Novel compounds are particularly designed in order to be free of the psychoactive features simultaneous with maintaining anti-cancer action. At the end of the day, the key to effectively link marijuana and cancer is to understand the basic mechanisms of the compounds of marijuana, which will provide insights into developing new marijuana-based medicines for cancer treatment.