BudMed Bulletin for 9/26/24

Cannabis for Cancer

Next issue: Cannabis For Alzheimer's

Introduction

“Researchers have been particularly interested in the potential uses of cannabinoids in treating cancer due to their ability to regulate cancer-related cell cycle pathways, prompting many beneficial effects, such as tumour growth prevention, cell cycle obstruction, and cell death. Cannabinoids have been found to affect tumours of the brain, prostate, colon and rectum, breast, uterus, cervix, thyroid, skin, pancreas, and lymph” Link to the study.

The following is just a snapshot of the types of cancers cannabis may prove beneficial to treating. It is by no means an exhaustive list.

Breast Cancer

Cannabinoids and triple-negative breast cancer treatment. "Cannabinoids show anti tumour activity in most pre clinical studies in TNBC models and do not appear to have adverse effects on chemotherapy." Link to the study.

Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that cannabinoids exert important anti tumour properties in the main breast cancer subtypes, particularly in TNBC, where different phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids have shown interesting therapeutic actions. Link to the study. 

Meet Rhonda Gossett, a stage 4 Breast cancer survivor, who credits medical cannabis for her remarkable recovery.

Prostate Cancer

Cannabidiol Enhances the Anticancer Activity of Etoposide on Prostate Cancer Cells. "Moreover, co administration markedly decreased tumorigenic properties, such as proliferative capacity, colonial growth, migration, and 3D tumour formation and also induced senescence." Link to the study.

Anti-proliferative effect of Cannabidiol in Prostate cancer. “Here, we found cannabidiol decreased prostate cancer cell (PC3) viability up to 37.25% and induced apoptotic cell death in a time and dose-dependent manner.” Link to study.

Melanoma Cancer

Cannabidiol and active-targeted-mediated photodynamic therapy in malignant melanoma treatment. "Accruing evidence suggests that CBD holds potential for inhibiting angiogenesis, metastasis, as well as prevents cellular proliferation by inducing cell death in cancer cells, thus counteracting metastasis [147, 148]." Link to the study.

Evaluating the Mechanism of Cell Death in Melanoma Induced by the Cannabis Extract PHEC-66” “These findings imply that PHEC-66 might have potential as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of malignant melanoma.” Link to the study.

Bowel Cancer

Anticancer mechanism of hemp oil extract in bowel cancer. "This comprehensive analysis demonstrates that HOE (hemp oil extract) effectively blocks the cell cycle in the G1 phase, thereby inhibiting bowel cancer cell proliferation." Link to the study.

Cannabidiol activates MAPK pathway to induce apoptosis, paraptosis, and autophagy in colorectal cancer cells. “Our findings implied that CBD could induce CRC cell death by activating apoptosis, paraptosis, and autophagy through the activation of the MAPK pathway.” Link to the study. 

Meet the actor and comedian Tommy Chong, who credits cannabis for his bowel cancer survival.

Brain Cancer

Cannabinoids in the treatment of glioblastoma. “Several clinical studies are also being carried out. The preliminary results show good tolerance of cannabinoids and prolonged survival after administration of these drugs.” Link to the study.

The application of cannabidiol in glioma treatment. “Characterized by its safety, good tolerability, and absence of psychoactive effects, CBD induces apoptosis in glioma cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells, suppressing the expression of GSCs properties, and promoting cell death. Additionally, it enhances the sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy while protecting neural functions, playing a significant role in the management of glioma symptoms. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated encouraging anti-glioma activity. “ Link to the study.

Meet Sophie. Her Doctors and parents, credit medical cannabis for shrinking her brain tumour by 95% and saving her life.

Anti tumour, Pain, Sleep, Mood, Nausea

“Anti tumour Effects of Cannabidiol” “CBD can exert its anti tumour effect by regulating the cell cycle, inducing tumour cell apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibiting tumour cell invasion, migration, and angiogenesis.” Link to the study.

“Cannabis Significantly Improves Symptoms For Most Cancer Survivors, Confirms New Study” “Among the 510 participants who turned to cannabis after their cancer diagnosis, 60% cited managing sleep disturbances, 51% pain, 44% stress, 34% nausea, and 32% mood disorders or depression as reasons, as reported by Marijuana Moment.” Link to the study.

Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids Present in Cannabis. Additionally, cannabinoids display anticancer effects in several models by suppressing the proliferation, migration and/or invasion of cancer cells, as well as tumour angiogenesis. Link to the study.

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Disclaimer: The content provided in this newsletter by BudMed Bulletin is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the use of medical cannabis.