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Active Component Of Marijuana Has Anti-cancer Effects, Study Suggests

Date:
April 9, 2009
Source:
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Summary:
Cannabinoids such as the main active component of marijuana have anticancer effects on human brain cancer cells, according to new research.
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Guillermo Velasco and colleagues, at Complutense University, Spain, have provided evidence that suggests that cannabinoids such as the main active component of marijuana (THC) have anticancer effects on human brain cancer cells.

In the study, THC was found to induce the death of various human brain cancer cell lines and primary cultured human brain cancer cells by a process known as autophagy.

Consistent with the in vitro data, administration of THC to mice with human tumors decreased tumor growth and induced the tumor cells to undergo autophagy. As analysis of tumors from two patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (a highly aggressive brain tumor) receiving intracranial THC administration showed signs of autophagy, the authors suggest that cannabinoid administration may provide a new approach to targeting human cancers.

Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells


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Materials provided by Journal of Clinical Investigation. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Salazar et al. Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2009; DOI: 10.1172/JCI37948

Cite This Page:

Journal of Clinical Investigation. "Active Component Of Marijuana Has Anti-cancer Effects, Study Suggests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 April 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401181217.htm>.
Journal of Clinical Investigation. (2009, April 9). Active Component Of Marijuana Has Anti-cancer Effects, Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401181217.htm
Journal of Clinical Investigation. "Active Component Of Marijuana Has Anti-cancer Effects, Study Suggests." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401181217.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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