National Institute of Cancer Recognises that Cannabis Eliminates Cancerous Cells

The NCI (National Institute of Cancer) US has published on its website a highly positive study on the future of cannabis as an ally in the treatment of this disease. This research shows that cannabis may kill (and has killed) cancerous cells. At the moment these results are provisional, since they are preclinical studies tested on rodents and in vitro cells, and not in human beings

This is the leading institution in the US in the investigation and professional preparation relating to this illness. In addition to taking responsibility for activities for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment, the NCI is one of the eleven agencies that form a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services .

Therefore we are talking about a key organisation in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. That one of these type of organisations has published that cancer may kill cancerous cells is an extremely positive advance for the huge possibilities that the plant can offer therapeutically, if it is investigated further.

The preclinical studies that have been carried out with cannabinoids have shown some very interesting results. For example, that these cannabinoids inhibit tumour growth, since they cause cell destruction and prevent these cells from multiplying and forming the blood vessels that a tumor needs to grow. These laboratory studies also showed that, while cannabinoids kill cancer cells, they protect normal cells.

These preclinical studies have also shed light on cancer of the colon, breast cancer and hepatic carcinoma or kidney cancer. It seems that cannabinoids can act as protectors against the inflammation of the colon and ths reduce the risk of this type of cancer.

There have also been positive developments in breast cancer, as a study of CBD in positive and negative oestrogen receptors provoked the death of the cancerous cells which occur in this type of breast cancer. Investigations into metastasis in breast cancer showed that the cannabinoides can reduce the development, quantity and reproduction of tumours.

Moreover, studies with delta-9 THC in hepatic carcinoma or kidney cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma or liver cancer have shown that this cannabinoid can eliminate or at least damage cancerous cells. In these same studies it was concluded that in models of these types of cancer, delta-9 THC has a degenerative effect on these types of tumours. It seems that delta-9 THC also has antitumor effects by acting on molecules that are present in the cells of both lung and breast cancer.

In addition, an analysis of  34 studies of cannabinoids in glioma cancer (a brain tumor that begins in glial cells) found that in 33 of them cannabinoides destroyed cancer cells without damaging normal cells. As for CBD in studies in human glioma cells it was also found that when given with chemotherapy, this cannabidiol increases the effectiveness of the treatment and killed more cancer cells without harming normal cells.

As is already known and has been applied in some therapies, THC and other cannabinoids stimulate appetite, relieve pain, have anti-inflammatory effects, prevent nerve problems in chemotherapy treatments, control nausea and vomiting, and additionally relieve anxiety, and lift mood.