A research study that was published in the South African Journal of Botany investigated the potential anti-cancer efficacy of cannabis treatment, specifically efficacy for breast cancer.
The study reported that the "anticancer activity of cannabis is well-documented in scientific literature" and that the cannabinoids produced by hemp and cannabis, including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) "not only inhibit [cancer] cell proliferation [growth], but also arrest the growth of differentiated [cancer] cells."
The study also reported that the anticancer effects delivered by cannabis and hemp "could be correlated to the presence of various biologically active secondary plant compounds, including flavonoids" and that flavonoids produce "profound synergistic effects" and can also act alone or in tandem with terpenes and cannabinoids.
Also reported, in the study, was that cannabinoids inhibit angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels from existing blood vessels. This is a mechanism by which cancerous tumors grow and spread. "Angiogenesis inhibition is [the] most emerging target to inhibit cancer cells and cannabinoids [have been] found effective to inhibit angiogenesis in experimental models." The study reported that sustained angiogenesis is "a hallmark of cancer" and is "essential in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis in all [cancer] cell types."
The scientists reported that breast cancer cells feature CB1 and CB2 cellular receptors. These specialized receptors are part of the human endocannabinoid system (ECS) and bind with both endocannabinoids (such as 2-AG and anandamide) and phytocannabinoids such as CBD and THC. They noted that the CB1 receptor, in particular, "is considered [to be a] promising target [for future research] about "breast cancer cell growth and invasion."
The study's authors concluded that various cannabis and hemp cultivars among those it tested demonstrated "anti-angiogenic activity" and were part of various biochemical mechanisms by which cancer growth was prevented or slowed. Based on this, the study reported that therapies involving the flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids produced by hemp and cannabis may produce positive outcomes for breast cancer patients.
The scientists stressed the need for further studies to "determine and quantify" the particular compounds from hemp and cannabis that may deliver the best efficacy for cancer patients and, in particular, those suffering from breast cancer. They also expressed their desire that their research results might "help influence the policies for government and merit further study."
by: Curt Robbins