Harvard Study Shows Marijuana Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half

[JonMR2turbo 10+ year member]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417193338.htm

The active ingredient in marijuana cuts tumor growth in common lung cancer in half and significantly reduces the ability of the cancer to spread, say researchers at Harvard University who tested the chemical in both lab and mouse studies.

They say this is the first set of experiments to show that the compound, Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), inhibits EGF-induced growth and migration in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressing non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Lung cancers that over-express EGFR are usually highly aggressive and resistant to chemotherapy.

THC that targets cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 is similar in function to endocannabinoids, which are cannabinoids that are naturally produced in the body and activate these receptors. The researchers suggest that THC or other designer agents that activate these receptors might be used in a targeted fashion to treat lung cancer.

"The beauty of this study is that we are showing that a substance of abuse, if used prudently, may offer a new road to therapy against lung cancer," said Anju Preet, Ph.D., a researcher in the Division of Experimental Medicine.

Acting through cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, endocannabinoids (as well as THC) are thought to play a role in variety of biological functions, including pain and anxiety control, and inflammation. Although a medical derivative of THC, known as Marinol, has been approved for use as an appetite stimulant for cancer patients, and a small number of U.S. states allow use of medical marijuana to treat the same side effect, few studies have shown that THC might have anti-tumor activity, Preet says. The only clinical trial testing THC as a treatment against cancer growth was a recently completed British pilot study in human glioblastoma.

In the present study, the researchers first demonstrated that two different lung cancer cell lines as well as patient lung tumor samples express CB1 and CB2, and that non-toxic doses of THC inhibited growth and spread in the cell lines. "When the cells are pretreated with THC, they have less EGFR stimulated invasion as measured by various in-vitro assays," Preet said.

Then, for three weeks, researchers injected standard doses of THC into mice that had been implanted with human lung cancer cells, and found that tumors were reduced in size and weight by about 50 percent in treated animals compared to a control group. There was also about a 60 percent reduction in cancer lesions on the lungs in these mice as well as a significant reduction in protein markers associated with cancer progression, Preet says.

Although the researchers do not know why THC inhibits tumor growth, they say the substance could be activating molecules that arrest the cell cycle. They speculate that THC may also interfere with angiogenesis and vascularization, which promotes cancer growth.

Preet says much work is needed to clarify the pathway by which THC functions, and cautions that some animal studies have shown that THC can stimulate some cancers. "THC offers some promise, but we have a long way to go before we know what its potential is," she said.

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[60ndown 10+ year member]

new research sais there are little green men in your underware.

point is, you can find anything you want on the net, 4-20 yet?

 

[JonMR2turbo 10+ year member]

Last time I checked, Harvard researchers and the American Association for Cancer Research aren't just anything. I think it's safe to say that they know what they're talking about http://www.aacr.org/home/about-us/news.aspx?d=744

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Ive always been an ardent proponent of marijuana.

 

[JonMR2turbo 10+ year member]

Ive always been an ardent proponent of marijuana.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[HitManSE 10+ year member]

Interesting.

Dont know how many more times they need to study the **** thing in order to say its ok for medial use //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[prochobo 10+ year member]

Interesting.
Dont know how many more times they need to study the **** thing in order to say its ok for medial use //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

It's not them, it's the godam, stupidass, head forever stuck in the *** politicians //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif

 

[HitManSE 10+ year member]

It's not them, it's the godam, stupidass, head forever stuck in the *** politicians //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif

Only a matter of time. They'll eventually die, or get cancer themselves and start pushing to pass it.

 

[Bloodstalker999 10+ year member]

the tumors get too lazy to grow //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[bibby 5,000+ posts]

the tumors get too lazy to grow //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

funny, but likke hitman said, its coming.

 

[phantom240 5,000+ posts]

Sweet. 4/20 is now "National slow cancer growth" day. lol.

 

[Bloodstalker999 10+ year member]

funny, but likke hitman said, its coming.

As soon as it goes to any form of ballet then its as good as passed, I got seeds waiting

 

[prochobo 10+ year member]

Only a matter of time. They'll eventually die, or get cancer themselves and start pushing to pass it.

I agree. Once our generation (I can't speak for you unless you're ~19) goes to power, I can almost guarantee MJ will be legal //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fro.gif.c695f1f814b01c4ad99fe7f8cccadd29.gif

 

[BassAddictJ 5,000+ posts]

good read.

now the rest of you can eat a dick if you still think gonja is the devil //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[BassAddictJ 5,000+ posts]

I agree. Once our generation (I can't speak for you unless you're ~19) goes to power, I can almost guarantee MJ will be legal //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fro.gif.c695f1f814b01c4ad99fe7f8cccadd29.gif

x2