Antitumor

Further Evidence for Cannabis as an Antitumor Agent

The heterogeneity and complexity of cannabis extracts as antitumor agents

In summary

 A recent study has exposed the complexity of cannabis extracts as antitumor agents depending on the exact cannabinoid composition and cancer cell line. Researchers utilized whole cannabis extracts, meaning that the extract contains various amounts of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids produced by the cannabis plant, and found that each extract had various effects depending on cannabinoid composition. It was also found that the antitumor effects were not completely due to ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as pure THC extracts did not provide the same effects as a whole plant extract. Some extracts were found to have antitumor effects on specific cancer cell lines but further research is needed to specify which ratio of cannabinoid and other chemicals provides the most benefits for each cell line. 

Considering the difficulty of treating cannabis and the horrible side-effects associated with chemotherapy it seems shocking that cannabis-based medications are not more widely accepted for cancer treatments. As cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act the federal government can not provide any support for cannabis research which means that current research relies almost entirely on private funding. When examing the emotional and economic toll of cancer patients it seems irresponsible to not fully examine the possible benefits of cannabis-based medications to finally determine if they can provide more benefits than easing the side-effects of chemotherapy such as cachexia, chronic pain, and nausea. 

The study is available for review or download here

View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive 

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDFurther Evidence for Cannabis as an Antitumor Agent
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Another Step Towards Cannabis-Based Cancer Medications

Antitumor Cannabinoid Chemotypes – Structural Insights

In Summary

A recent study has classified the structural identities of cannabinoids that have shown promise as antitumor agents for a variety of cancer types. Although cannabis is commonly recommended for treating the side-effects associated with chemotherapy researchers are now digging into studies from the past two decades that show cannabis’ promising antitumor properties. Further research is encouraged but the authors hope this structural classification aids future endeavors aiming to develop cannabis-based cancer treatments. 

The idea of accidentally stumbling upon the antitumor and antiproliferative effects of cannabis highlights the unknown therapeutic use of cannabis. Cannabis is full of chemicals that can be used to treat various ailments, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Critics often preach against the uncertainty and the danger of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but if researchers saw the potential for the other, nonpsychoactive components of cannabis many novel treatments could be developed. The endocannabinoid system spreads throughout the entire body and provides a promising target for numerous ailments if we keep looking into cannabis-based medicine and stumbling upon new therapeutic benefits. 

The study is available for review or download here:

View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive 

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDAnother Step Towards Cannabis-Based Cancer Medications
read more