Mechanisms of cannabinoid action against brain tumors

October 2015 Update: Since we published this article on August 2014, many new studies have been developed. We have added 14 new studies published by the National Insitute of Health of the United States. We have now 82 scientific studies!

Cancer is a leading cause of death in industrialised countries. So far, the treatments available from the pharmaceuticals mostly have limited efficiency, as well as a significant toxicity and strong undesirable side effects. It is known that the marijuana plant can help in a natural way and relieve symptoms of cancer and chemotherapy: pain relief, nausea, vomiting, greater appetite, improvement of mood, sleep, relationships with the environment... And we all know how important it is to have a good quality of life when fighting against any disease.

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Therefore, we can now find something even more interesting: some cannabinoids in the marijuana plant have a healing action against different forms of cancer. Several testimonies are available now in social networks, particularly in the United States, where medical marijuana is much more accessible than in Europe. Examples of the most common cures are leukemia and brain tumors (gliomas), usually in children and even babies. However, these numerous testimonies are not sufficient evidence to convince the medical and scientific communities, which need reliable studies to confirm these claims. In order to rectify the situation, we propose here a (non-exhaustive) list of 68 international scientific publications, drawn from the best research laboratories, demonstrating the efficiency of the cannabinoids found in marijuana plants in the treatment of cancer.

Diagram of the cannabinoid action against cancer cells

Studies on the action of cannabinoids against cancer

Marijuana against brain cancer (glioma, glioblastoma...)

Mechanisms of cannabinoid action against brain tumors

Marijuana against breast cancer

Explanation of cannabinoid action against breast tumors

Marijuana against blood cancer (leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma...)

Marijuana against lung cancer

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of ?9-tetrahidrocannabinol/PLGA nanoparticles for cancer chemotherapy. Published by the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, April 2015.

Cannabinoids increase lung cancer cell lysis by lymphokine-activated killer cells via upregulation of Icam-1. Study published in Biochemical Pharmacology in July 2014.

by lymphokine-activated killer cells via upregulation of Icam-1. Study published in Biochemical Pharmacology in July 2014. Cannabinoids inhibit angiogenic capacities of endothelial cells via release of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 from lung cancer cells. Study published in Biochemical Pharmacology in June 2014.

of endothelial cells via release of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 from lung cancer cells. Study published in Biochemical Pharmacology in June 2014. C OX-2 and PPAR-? confer CBD-induced apoptosis of human lung cancer cells. Study published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics in January 2013.

of human lung cancer cells. Study published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics in January 2013. CBD inhibits lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis via intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in April 2012.

via intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in April 2012. Cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, as novel targets for inhibition of non?small cell lung cancer growth and metastasis. Study published in Cancer Prevention Research in January 2011.

growth and metastasis. Study published in Cancer Prevention Research in January 2011. THC inhibits epithelial growth factor-induced (EGF) lung cancer cell migration in vitro as well as its growth and metastasis in vivo. Study published in the journal Oncogene in July 2007.

Cannabinoids induce apoptosis of various cell types

Cannabinoids against colorectal cancer

Colon carcinogenesis is inhibited by the TRPM8 antagonist cannabigerol , a Cannabis-derived non-psychotropic cannabinoid. Published by Carcinogenesis magazine, September 2014.

, a Cannabis-derived non-psychotropic cannabinoid. Published by Carcinogenesis magazine, September 2014. Inhibition of colon carcinogenesis by a standardised Cannabis Sativa extract with high content of CBD. Study published in Phytomedecine in December 2013.

by a standardised Cannabis Sativa extract with high content of CBD. Study published in Phytomedecine in December 2013. Chemopreventive effect of the non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid CBD on colon cancer . Study published in the Journal of Molecular Medecine in August 2012.

. Study published in the Journal of Molecular Medecine in August 2012. Cannabinoids against intestinal inflammation and cancer . Study published in Pharmacology Research in August 2009.

. Study published in Pharmacology Research in August 2009. Action of cannabinoid receptors on colorectal tumor growth. Study published by the Cancer Center of the University of Texas in July 2008.

Marijuana against stomach cancer

Cannabinoid receptor agonist as an alternative drug in 5-Fluorouracil-resistant gastric cancer cells. Study published in Anticancer Research in June 2013.

in 5-Fluorouracil-resistant gastric cancer cells. Study published in Anticancer Research in June 2013. Antiproliferative mechanism of a cannabinoid agonist by cell cycle arrest in human gastric cancer cells. Study published in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry in March 2011.

Marijuana against prostate cancer

Non-THC cannabinoids inhibit prostate carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo: pro-apoptotic effects and underlying mechanisms. Study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in December 2012.

growth in vitro and in vivo: pro-apoptotic effects and underlying mechanisms. Study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in December 2012. The role of cannabinoids in prostate cancer : Basic science perspective and potential clinical applications. Study published in the Indian Journal of Urology in January 2012.

: Basic science perspective and potential clinical applications. Study published in the Indian Journal of Urology in January 2012. Induction of apoptosis by cannabinoids in prostate and colon cancer cells is phosphatase dependent. Study published in Anticancer Research in November 2011.

Mode of action of cannabinoids against tumor cells

Marijuana against liver cancer

Involvement of PPAR? in the antitumoral action of cannabinoids on hepatocellular carcinoma (CHC). Study published in Cell Death and Disease in May 2013.

in the antitumoral action of cannabinoids on hepatocellular carcinoma (CHC). Study published in Cell Death and Disease in May 2013. Evaluation of anti-invasion effect of cannabinoids on human hepatocarcinoma cells. Study published on the site Informa Healthcare in February 2013.

on human hepatocarcinoma cells. Study published on the site Informa Healthcare in February 2013. Antitumoral action of cannabinoids on hepatocellular carcinoma. Study published in Cell Death and Differentiation in April 2011.

Marijuana against pancreatic cancer

Cannabinoids inhibit energetic metabolism and induce autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells. Study published in Cell Death and Disease in June 2013.

in pancreatic cancer cells. Study published in Cell Death and Disease in June 2013. Cannabinoids Induce apoptosis of pancreatic tumor cells. Study published in Cancer Research in July 2006.

Marijuana against skin cancer

Differential role of cannabinoids in the pathogenesis of skin cancer . Published by Life Science, October 2015.

. Published by Life Science, October 2015. Exploiting Cannabinoid-Induced Cytotoxic Autophagy to Drive Melanoma Cell Death. Published by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences magazine, May 2014.

to Drive Melanoma Cell Death. Published by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences magazine, May 2014. Cannabinoid receptors as novel targets for the treatment of melanoma . Study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in December 2006.

. Study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in December 2006. Inhibition of skin tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo by activation of cannabinoid receptors. Study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, in January 2003.

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Bud Buddies: Project Storm, Cannabis VS Cancer (2014)

Marijuana against other types of cancer

Bladder: Marijuana reduces the risk of bladder cancer. Study published in the Medscape site in May 2013.

of bladder cancer. Study published in the Medscape site in May 2013. Kaposi sarcoma : Cannabidiol inhibits growth and induces programmed cell death in Kaposi sarcoma?associated herpesvirus-infected endothelium. Study published in the journal Genes & Cancer in July 2012.

: Cannabidiol inhibits growth and induces programmed cell death in Kaposi sarcoma?associated herpesvirus-infected endothelium. Study published in the journal Genes & Cancer in July 2012. Nose, mouth, throat, ear: Cannabinoids like THC inhibit cellular respiration of human oral cancer cells . Study by the Department of Pediatrics at the State University of New York, published in June 2010.

. Study by the Department of Pediatrics at the State University of New York, published in June 2010. Bile duct: The dual effects of THC on cholangiocarcinoma cells : anti-invasion activity at low concentration and apoptosis induction at high concentration. Study published in Cancer Investigation in May 2010.

: anti-invasion activity at low concentration and apoptosis induction at high concentration. Study published in Cancer Investigation in May 2010. Ovaries: Cannabinoid receptors as a target for therapy of ovarian cancer. Study published on the American Association for Cancer Research website in 2006.

Finally, it's worth highlighting from these publications that the efficacy of cannabinoids against cancer depends on the dose: the higher the dose, the more important the action. Since it is difficult to obtain high and constant blood concentrations of cannabinoids by consuming marijuana plants in the usuall ways (smoking, vaporizing...) most patients use extractions of cannabinoids. The most popular extraction is called Rick Simpson's oil .

Efficiency of cannabinoids against cancer

We advise you to use a high CBD marijuana strain for your extractions, for this non-psychoactive cannabinoid seems to be the one with best anti-tumor properties.

We greatly appreciate the research work carried out by Dr Manuel Guzman's team at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid for their current work on the use of cannabinoids against cancer.

Do not hesitate to share this information in your community, particularly if you know doctors who do cancer research, and obviously with people suffering from this disease and seeking a natural, effective and safe complementary therapy.

The current legislation on medical marijuana is not adapted to the medical information available today.