While anticancer effects of cannabinoids and their synergy in the symphony are still poorly recognised, there is sufficient evidence to warrant a closer look.
The palliative effects of cannabinoids on cancer-related symptoms ar well established. In fact, several medication comprised of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or its artificial analogues ar presently approved in North American country to be used within the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and instinctive reflex, pain relief, and appetite stimulation.
However, this may provide sufficient treatment to the symptoms experienced by cancer patients, what if cannabis oil can all together treat and cure cancer?
Latest findings on cannabinoids and their antineoplastic properties concentrate on their molecular mechanisms of action and are mentioned in a very recently written criticism in Current medical specialty, a peer-reviewed journal (Velasco, Sanchez, & Guzman, 2016). It is necessary to start by understanding that our body possesses AN endogenous cannabinoid system.
Endogenous meaning certain substances originated from within our organism. In fact, we have endocannabinoids, their receptors and a suite of enzymes responsible for their synthesis, transport and degeneration. Cannabinoids such as THC from cannabis are able to exert their biological effects by connecting to the same receptors as endogenous cannabinoids. Cannabinoids from cannabis oil are able to bind to endogenous receptors, namely cannabinoid-specific receptors CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found in many varieties of cancer cells providing a completely unique approach to the targeted treatment of assorted kinds of cancer.
Several investigations have highlighted the importance of cannabinoid receptors in the suppression of tumour growth. In a comparison using a mouse model of colon cancer, the deletion of CB1 receptors stimulated intestinal tumour growth. Conversely, in another research on colon cancer induced mice, increased levels of endocannabinoids resulted in decreased levels of cancerous precursors. Investigations have also shown that when endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes are removed, tumour growth in mice saw a marked decrease.
Cancer cells are rogue cells that grow and propagate at a rapid and unregulated pace. These cells occur regularly in our body and are recognized and destroyed by our immune cells. When this fails, cancer cells over-proliferate leading to the formation of tumours, otherwise known as tumorigenesis. Cannabinoids primarily have an effect on neoplastic cell proliferation by triggering pathways resulting in programmed death or caspase-mediated cell death.
Comparisons have shown that THC and other cannabinoids when bound to CB1 and CB2 receptors, can stimulate the production of an apoptosis-inducing composite known as ceramide. This lipid molecule has even been termed the “tumour suppressor lipid” due to its damaging effects on cancer cells.
Due to the development of such promising preclinical data surrounding cannabinoids, clinical trials are underway to assess their anticancer and antitumour effects. Although solely in phase I of clinical trials involving nine patients with brain tumour, a form of brain cancer, the intracranial administration of THC has led to a decrease in tumour growth rate recognised by magnetic resonance imaging. In a pair of patients, treatment with THC has led to the regulation of pivotal biomarkers involved in programmed cell death, inhibition of cell proliferation and a decrease in growth factors responsible for vasculature formation in tumours.
It ought to even be noted that these patients have repeated brain tumour which means typical medical aid had antecedently unsuccessful. While these conclusions are encouraging, no statistical significance can be ascertained due to the limited number of patients involved in this research.
Ongoing clinical trials involving combinatory medical aid with oral therapy medication and tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (CBD) ar afoot. These trials ar presently in phase II and can possible shed some lightweight on the effectiveness of cannabinoid medical aid within the treatment of cancer patients.
Cannabis oil provides a real treasure trove of compounds including THC and CBD and their interaction in the symphony is still poorly understood. This will prove to be an issue for the acceptance of cannabis oil as a therapeutic drug since pure composites are preferred for standardization over complex molecular cocktails. Other challenges embrace the route of administration as intracranial delivery has its obvious limitations.
Prospective analysis is desperately required and that we ought to ANticipate an approach additional targeted on oral or oromucosal routes of administration and comparisons of pure substances versus cannabis oil extracts containing the complete mixture of cannabinoids.
Disclaimer: the principles contained here is not designed nor meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is only achieved for educational confidences only. You should recognise full responsibility for the way you decide on to use this information.
Tags: Cancer, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Warriors.
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