Cannabis Compound Significantly Reduced Lung Cancer Tumor
April 19, 2007 by Gloria Gamat
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active compound in marijuana has been found to cut tumor growth by half in common lung cancer, aside from significantly reducing the ability of the cancer to spread.
Conducted by researchers at Harvard University, this is the first study to demonstrate that a cannabinoid compound inhibits EGF-induced growth and migration in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressing non-small cell lung cancer cell lines.
According to Anju Preet, Ph.D., a researcher in the Division of Experimental Medicine:
“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.”
The study’s findings suggest that THC or other designer agents that activate cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 might be used in a targeted fashion to treat lung cancer.
Find more details from the full report.
