Health, Australia (Commonwealth Union) – Comprehensive overviews across the world on the benefits and applications of cannabis has led to the introduction together with the legalization of medical cannabis in many countries. This has led to an increased interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of this plant. Cannabis contains a variety of compounds, known as cannabinoids, which have been found to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, leading to a wide range of potential medical applications. Studies in recent years have also found cannabis being utilized for the treatment of common health conditions.
Cannabis has been in focus as a potential to be effective in managing various types of pain, including neuropathic pain, chronic pain, and cancer-related pain. The analgesic effects of cannabis are attributed to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, which modulates pain perception and inflammation.
The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis have been well-documented in various studies. Cannabinoids such as CBD have been found to reduce inflammation by interacting with the CB2 receptors, which play a crucial role in regulating the immune system.
A recent in-vitro study has revealed promising outcomes regarding the inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation and the enhancement of cell apoptosis rates through the use of a cannabis extract.
Conducted by researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) and RMIT, the study focused on examining the effects of a specific cannabis extract, known as cannabinoid PHEC-66, derived from the cannabis sativa plant.
Dr. Ava Bachari, conducting the research as part of her PhD project at RMIT, observed that the extract interacts with receptor sites on targeted melanoma cells, effectively regulating their growth at critical stages and inducing cellular damage.
Dr. Nazim Nassar, a pharmaceutical lecturer at CDU and co-author of the study, explained that this induced damage prompts the melanoma cells to undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis, rather than continuing to proliferate.
The disruption to the melanoma cell’s growth cycle halts its ability to reproduce, initiating a programmed self-destruct mechanism, as indicated by Dr. Nassar.
“This is a growing area of important research because we need to understand cannabis extracts as much as possible, especially their potential to function as anticancer agents.
“If we know how they react to cancer cells, particularly in the cause of cell death, we can refine treatment techniques to be more specific, responsive and effective”.
Dr. Nassar emphasized that the subsequent hurdle involves refining targeted delivery systems tailored for melanoma cells, essential for advancing toward pre-clinical trials.
He indicated that further development of advanced delivery systems remains imperative, highlighting the ongoing necessity to ensure precise and efficient deployment of these agents directly to target sites.
With expertise in cancer cell biology, pharmacology, drug delivery systems, and drug disposition and dynamics, Dr. Nassar, a practicing pharmacist and pharmacologist, has contributed to numerous collaborative studies. These include investigations into utilizing cannabinoids for melanoma treatment, exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in prostate cancer, and providing comprehensive overviews of current melanoma treatment methodologies.
Despite the prevailing stigma surrounding the utilization of cannabis extracts for medical purposes, Dr. Nassar believes that continued research into their applications holds the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.
“Clinical uses of cannabis extracts include treatment for anxiety, cancer-related symptoms, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Intensive research into its potential for killing melanoma cells is only the start as we investigate how this knowledge can be applied to treating different types of cancers.”
Professor Nitin Mantri, the lead author and a biotechnologist at RMIT, underscored the crucial need for long-term monitoring to ascertain the enduring efficacy and safety of the PHEC-66 extract in cancer therapy over prolonged durations.
He emphasized the significance of thoroughly assessing the safety profile of the extract prior to its widespread utilization.
“The subsequent stage involves animal studies or pre-clinical trials to validate and further explore the efficacy of cannabinoid PHEC-66 in treating melanoma and other cancers,” explained Professor Mantri.
He underscored the pivotal collaboration with Dr. Nassar, stressing the importance of backing and sponsorship from pharmaceutical firms to validate PHEC-66 as an authorized medication. This backing is vital for progressing the advancement and utilization of cannabis extracts in cancer therapy, capitalizing on Dr. Nassar’s proficiency as a healthcare provider, pharmacologist, and pharmaceutical researcher. The study was published in the Cells journal.
