21/11/2007 00:00:00
Cannabis may stop cancer spread
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A chemical found in cannabis may stop breast cancer from spreading
through the body and could be a non-toxic alternative to chemotherapy,
scientists said.
There is a limited range of treatments available for aggressive forms of
cancer such as chemotherapy, a drug treatment to kill cancer cells that
can be effective but also extremely toxic and difficult for patients,
said scientists.
Sean McAllister, lead researcher of The California Pacific Medical
Centre Research Institute team, said: "The compound found in cannabis
called 'cannabidiol' (CBD) offers the hope of a non-toxic therapy that
could achieve the same results without any of the painful side effects."
CBD works by blocking the activity of a gene called Id-1, which is
believed to be responsible for the aggressive spread of cancer cells
away from the original tumour site creating what are known as 'secondaries'.
Past research has already shown that CBD can block aggressive human
brain cancers. The new lab tests found that CBD had a similar effect on
breast cancer cells, reported the online edition of Daily Mail.
Doctors, however, warn that smoking cannabis is unlikely to be
effective, as sufficient quantities of CBD are not found in the leaf.
They have to be extracted and then concentrated to make a dose strong
enough to kill cancer cells, the scientists said, adding that the
research is at a very early stage.
The findings will need to be followed up with clinical trials in humans
to see if the CBD is safe, and whether the beneficial effects can be
replicated, scientists said.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13029
Author:
Hindustan Times via UKCIA
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