Marijuana And Cancer: Scientists Find Cannabis Compound Stops Metastasis In Aggressive Cancers

[LongHairBri]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/marijuana-and-cancer_n_1898208.html

 

A pair of scientists at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco has found that a compound derived from marijuana could stop metastasis in many kinds of aggressive cancer, potentially altering the fatality of the disease forever.

 

"It took us about 20 years of research to figure this out, but we are very excited," said Pierre Desprez, one of the scientists behind the discovery, to The Huffington Post. "We want to get started with trials as soon as possible."

 

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported on the finding, which has already undergone both laboratory and animal testing, and is awaiting permission for clinical trials in humans.

 

Desprez, a molecular biologist, spent decades studying ID-1, the gene that causes cancer to spread. Meanwhile, fellow researcher Sean McAllister was studying the effects of Cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-toxic, non-psychoactive chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Finally, the pair collaborated, combining CBD and cells containing high levels of ID-1 in a petri dish.

 

"What we found was that his Cannabidiol could essentially 'turn off' the ID-1," Desprez told HuffPost. The cells stopped spreading and returned to normal.

 

"We likely would not have found this on our own," he added. "That's why collaboration is so essential to scientific discovery."

 

Desprez and McAllister first published a paper about the finding in 2007. Since then, their team has found that CBD works both in the lab and in animals. And now, they've found even more good news.

 

"We started by researching breast cancer," said Desprez. "But now we've found that Cannabidiol works with many kinds of aggressive cancers--brain, prostate--any kind in which these high levels of ID-1 are present."

 

Desprez hopes that clinical trials will begin immediately.

 

"We've found no toxicity in the animals we've tested, and Cannabidiol is already used in humans for a variety of other ailments," he said. Indeed, the compound is used to relieve anxiety and nausea, and, since it is non-psychoactive, does not cause the "high" associated with THC.

 

While marijuana advocates will surely praise the discovery, Desprez explained that it's not so easy as just lighting up.

 

"We used injections in the animal testing and are also testing pills," he said. "But you could never get enough Cannabidiol for it to be effective just from smoking."

 

Furthermore, the team has started synthesizing the compound in the lab instead of using the plant in an effort to make it more potent.

 

"It's a common practice," explained Desprez. "But hopefully it will also keep us clear of any obstacles while seeking approval."

[AmishRnot4ganja]

I have often wondered what would transpire if cannabis is found to be the magic bullet that kills cancer. Perhaps the increase in cancer rates may eventually be associated with the decrease in the rate of cannabis ingestion in society. We used to use cannabis and hemp for all kinds of things in the past. It is a shame that the plant became politicized.

Edited September 21, 2012 by amish4ganja

[Herb Cannabis]

Thank you for the post, I shot him a quick volunteer offer email, I think I'd rather try his methods than allow my urologist to castrate me. That's his plan you know, I'm not going there, I'm to young.

[tooldini]

Dang Herb I would be all over trying something else. Hope everything turns out for ya

[Northern Lab]

Good post Bri! Thank you.

 

Spotting CBD rich material without chromatography is virtually impossible. Traditional smoke testing just doesn't find it, hence the proliferation of THC rich strains all over the world.

Edited September 21, 2012 by Northern Lab

[AmishRnot4ganja]

Another aspect of prohibition that is frustrating is the response from the prohibitionists whenever something positive is discovered about cannabis. Invariably their response is "Oh these people are just trying to fool you into believing it is OK. All they want to do is get it legal so that they and their friends can get HIGH and spread the Devil's Weed throughout society!". One of the problems with these folks is that they don't believe in science and are therefore ignorant about the subject. They view science as just another fake religion. Amazing but true. I believe that Bill Schuette may be one of these people. Even if he isn't, the people that he represents surely are.