Potential of Cannabis Extracts to Help Combat Cancer Cells: Expert Views You Should Know

Recently, laboratory studies have painted a compelling picture: certain cannabinoids in cannabis extracts act in the body with cancer cell receptors in interesting ways. For example, THC and CBD appear to induce cancer cell apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in malignant cells without adversely affecting healthy tissue (to a large extent).

These cannabinoid effects noted on cancer cells reflect a unique precision for cancer treatment as opposed to traditional chemotherapy, which has a kill-all effect on both cancer and healthy cells.

Identifiable Compounds with Promise for Cancer Cells

The therapeutic action of cannabis compounds is likely rooted in the volume of chemicals it contains. Below is a summary of important distinctions drawn from research today:

Cannabidiol (CBD): exhibits anti-proliferative effects on a variety of cancer cell lines
Delta-9-THC: claimed ability to suppress tumor growth in some cancer types
Cannabigerol (CBG): Carbon 1 which can result in disrupted metabolic use of energy in cancer cells
Terpenes: may improve the overall anticancer effects with synergistic action

Study Progress of Cannabis Extract Applications to Cancer

Cancer Type	Study Phase	Cannabinoid of Importance	Observed Results	Treatment Duration
Glioblastoma	Phase II	THC:CBD (1:1)	15-30% tumor shrinkage	months
Breast Cancer	Preclinical	High-CBD extract	inhibition of metastasis	weeks
Prostate Cancer	Phase I	CBG-dominant	decreased PSA levels	weeks
Lung Cancer	Laboratory	full spectrum extract	cell migration inhibition	weeks
Colon Cancer	Phase I/II	CBD isolate	reduced inflammation scores	weeks
Pancreatic Cancer	Preclinical	THC + terpenes	increased response to chemotherapy	weeks
Leukemia	Laboratory	Pure cannabinoids	decrease in blast cell counts	weeks

Note: This changing data represents preliminary observations in ongoing studies. Acceptable results may differ enormously from individual case analysis while requiring larger clinical trials for confirmation.

Observational studies indicate that methods of delivery of cannabis extracts seem to make a significant impact on the ability of compounds to reach cancer cells. Liposomal encapsulation and nanoemulsion technology seem to have demonstrated bioavailability and directed delivery to sites of tumor neogenesis quite effectively.

Clinical Research Updates

Current human research that focuses on formulations of cannabis extracts as adjuncts to treatment paradigms is gaining traction. Providing optimal doses and identifying the most favorable tumor types to respond to cannabinoids are ongoing efforts.

The prospects look bright for cannabis-based cancer treatment, but we are still in the early stages of understanding its full therapeutic value.