UK: Cannabis Could Help Cut Growth Of Tumours

[CLICKHEREx]

15 Jul 2014
Source: Courier, The (Dundee, UK)

Website: http://www.thecourier.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/802


CANNABIS COULD be used to reduce tumour growth in cancer patients, scientists have said.

New research reveals the drug's main psychoactive ingredient - tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) - could be responsible for its success in shrinking tumours.

It is hoped the findings could help develop a synthetic equivalent with anti-cancer properties.

However, researchers warned cancer sufferers should not be tempted to self-medicate.

Dr Peter McCormick, from the University of East Anglia, said: "Our findings help explain some of the well-known but still poorly understood effects of THC at low and high doses on tumour growth.

"There has been a great deal of interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind how marijuana and specifically THC influence cancer pathology.

"There has also been a drive in the pharmaceutical industry to create synthetic equivalents that might have anti-cancer properties.

"Our research uses an isolated chemical compound and using the correct concentration is vital. Cancer patients should not use cannabis to self-medicate but I hope our research will lead to a safe synthetic equivalent.


http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n592/a07.html?397

[Francois le Danque]

Cancer patients should not use cannabis to self-medicate

really? like, at all? harsh. and by "safe" he means "profitable" i assume.

[Slocombe]

I'm going to leap to the conclusion that vaping cannabis prevents lung cancer.