Marijuana Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half, Study Shows ScienceDaily (Apr. 17, 2007) —

The active ingredient in marijuana cuts tumor growth in common lung cancer in half and significantly reduces the ability of the cancer to spread, say researchers at Harvard University who tested the chemical in both lab and mouse studies.

They say this is the first set of experiments to show that the compound, Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), inhibits EGF-induced growth and migration in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressing non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Lung cancers that over-express EGFR are usually highly aggressive and resistant to chemotherapy.

THC that targets cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 is similar in function to endocannabinoids, which are cannabinoids that are naturally produced in the body and activate these receptors. The researchers suggest that THC or other designer agents that activate these receptors might be used in a targeted fashion to treat lung cancer.

"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," said Anju Preet, Ph.D., a researcher in the Division of Experimental Medicine.

Acting through cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, endocannabinoids (as well as THC) are thought to play a role in variety of biological functions, including pain and anxiety control, and inflammation. Although a medical derivative of THC, known as Marinol, has been approved for use as an appetite stimulant for cancer patients, and a small number of U.S. states allow use of medical marijuana to treat the same side effect, few studies have shown that THC might have anti-tumor activity, Preet says. The only clinical trial testing THC as a treatment against cancer growth was a recently completed British pilot study in human glioblastoma.

In the present study, the researchers first demonstrated that two different lung cancer cell lines as well as patient lung tumor samples express CB1 and CB2, and that non-toxic doses of THC inhibited growth and spread in the cell lines. "When the cells are pretreated with THC, they have less EGFR stimulated invasion as measured by various in-vitro assays," Preet said.

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By Donna Bowater of Express.co.uk

JUST half an hour a day on your mobile phone can increase the risk of brain cancer by a third, according to a landmark report.

The largest study into the dangers, published in a scientific journal tomorrow, come as mobile phone usage in Britain continues to rocket, particularly among children.

The £15million Interphone report, by the World Health Organisation, found those in the heaviest user category were in greater danger of developing malignant glioma tumours, which account for half of all brain tumours in the UK.

But the report’s definition of heavy use is just 30 minutes a day and regular use was at least one call per week over a six-month period.

No victims under 30 were interviewed, with the researchers admitting many young people use mobiles for an hour or more every day.

They found that tumours were more common on the side of the head where the phone was used.

Campaigners have warned the real risk may be much higher because the study did not look at other tumours including acoustic neuromas, which grow in the ears.

‘The real risk of tumours could be much higher’


Sarah Wright, spokeswoman for campaign group Mast Sanity, said: “They are only looking at two types of tumours. Other reports have come up with an average that doubled the risk and this Interphone study gives a 40 per cent increased risk.

“Twenty to 30 years ago, brain tumours were virtually unknown but two surgeons in Australia say they have seen a huge increase.”

She said evidence showed the number diagnosed was increasing by two per cent every year.

The Interphone report, which has been largely funded by the mobile phone industry, was based on interviews in 13 countries over 10 years with 5,000 brain cancer victims or a friend or relative of those who had died or were too ill to be quizzed.


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