A new study from the University of Sydney showed that cannabis had some anti-cancer effects in mesothelioma.
Parts of the marijuana plant have been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of ailments. This includes cancers like pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma and cancer-related pain.
We have all heard of medical marijuana. Various states have either legalized its use for specific patients. Many are reviewing its legality for various diseases.
Cannabis and Mesothelioma Survival
Mesothelioma is a deadly disease with few treatment options. Alternative treatments consist of any approach considered non-conventional. This may include herbs, vitamins, minerals, and other natural non-toxic supplements.
When used with conventional approaches, these alternative modalities are often called “complementary.” Surveys suggest that over 70% of advanced cancer patients use some form of alternative or complementary therapy. But their use in mesothelioma is not well documented.
Researchers are looking at a specific medicine derived from the cannabis plant. Phytocannabinoids are interested in their anti-cancer properties. The two most common phytocannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG).
Cannabis oil contains tetrahydracannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These ingredients have been shown to kill the mitochondria that mesothelioma cells need for energy.
A new study from the University of Sydney showed that CBD or CBG had some anti-cancer effects in mesothelioma. CBD and CBG also reduced mesothelioma cell migration and invasion.
But, CBD and CBG were not able to increase survival in a rat model of mesothelioma. Researchers say this may be because of limitations in the drug delivery method.
Surviving Mesothelioma will continue to monitor the status of medical marijuana. And will stay updated on any changes that could affect mesothelioma treatment options.
Note: You should not use these treatments unless they are supervised by a licensed healthcare practitioner. Also, access to these agents may be regulated by various U.S. laws.
Source:
Colvin, Emily K., Amanda L. Hudson, Lyndsey L. Anderson, Ramyashree Prasanna Kumar, Iain S. McGregor, Viive M. Howell, and Jonathon C. Arnold. “An Examination of the Anti-Cancer Properties of Plant Cannabinoids in Preclinical Models of Mesothelioma.” Cancers 14, no. 15 (2022): 3813. https://www.mdpi.com/1763120
