Dec 6 - Harvard: Marijuana Cuts Tumor Growth by 50%

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[..]ays," Preet said.

full article: Marijuana Cuts Tumor Growth by 50%

well this was timely news. i was just burning a bow.... i mean ... fighting cancer.

I feel a tumor coming on. Got to fight that !! off!

This pretty much doesn't surprise me... humans and plants have always coexisted throughout the history of Earth.

me too

Whats crazy is that the government is making an attempt to control our ability to grow our own produce (see s510 bill) but continue to allow the tobacco that is a major contributor to cancer but refuse to legalize good ole Mary Jane. Pfizer cant get rich if the patients can grow their own cures!!

ha! this is amazing...

im gonna go fight some cancer right now...

Make it legal already!

if only it was that easy

welp, time to go home and fight some cancer


really tho, the fact that possession of marijuana is punishable by law, is absolutely ridiculous.

GAS STILL HIGH AND THE ECONOMY !!ED UP...
they need to legalize the shyt and tax on it for the country can get back right
smh

me personly dnt give a !! tho cause imma get it and smoke it rather they legalize it or not

nicca you sound like a avatar



For real though, it's great to have an institution like Harvard to back us up

haha, another W for weed

thing is, what did they give the mice, pure thc or burnt thc? i know this might be a obvious question, but if they gave them pure, they need to study carcenogenic ( if thats how its spelt ) thc ie when its burnt to see if it still reduces tumour growth, as for all we know the smoke could still cause cancer

Damn. Snoop Dogg is 100% tumor-free now then, and for the rest of his life.

having smoke in your lunges is never "healthy" man... but smoking weed does not cause cancer unless you smoking it with tobbacco ...

and the effects of THC dont work unless its heated to a certain temperature... so yes it was "burnt" thc

so if you vape it is practically harmless

exactly.. vaporized weed is better for you then second hand smoke froma cig by faaaar

!! aint harmful its just too many people in our world dont really udnerstand how weed be... !! some people still think it make you trip out n goofy n !!...