lung cancer and cannabinoids

Study Finds Cannabinoids May Increase Lung Cancer’s Susceptibility to Specialized Killer Cells

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Results from a recent study suggest that cannabinoids indirectly make cancer cells more susceptible to being broken down by cells programmed to kill tumors.

Supporters of medical cannabis have often suggested that cannabis offers a significantly milder form of cancer treatment compared to traditional approaches, such as chemotherapy. These claims have been supported by a growing body of evidence that cannabis can inhibit the spread of cancer, as well as cause cancerous cell death through a range of diverse mechanisms. A team of researchers from Germany conducted a study to further investigate the interaction between cannabis and lung cancer.

Cannabinoids have been found to increase the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) as part of the mechanism in fighting the invasiveness and spread of lung cancer cells. The team, led by Maria Haustein, PhD, investigated the impact of this cannabinoid-induced ICAM-1, and published their results in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology.

The researchers were particularly interested in learning how the increased expression of ICAM-1 affected cancer cell adhesion to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. LAK cells are white blood cells that have been stimulated to fight tumor cells. The research team also investigated how the ICAM-1 impacted LAK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by using in vitro cell culture models.

They found that cannabidiol (CBD) enhanced the susceptibility of cancer cells to adhere to, and be broken down by LAK cells. These effects were reversed when the ICAM-1 was neutralized through several pathways including specific small interfering RNA (siRNA), antagonists to cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2), and antagonists to transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Additionally, enhanced killing of CBD-treated cancer cells was reversed by preincubation of LAK cells with an antibody to lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), suggesting intercellular ICAM-1/LFA-1 crosslink as crucial event within this process. The team determined that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) sets a similar process in motion that is equally dependent on ICAM-1 for LAK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

The team concluded, “Altogether, our data demonstrate cannabinoid-induced upregulation of ICAM-1 on lung cancer cells to be responsible for increased cancer cell susceptibility to LAK cell-mediated cytolysis. These findings provide proof for a novel antitumorigenic mechanism of cannabinoids.”

Source: 1:Haustein M, Ramer R, Linnebacher M, Manda K, Hinz B. CANNABINOIDS INCREASE LUNG CANCER CELL LYSIS BY LYMPHOKINE-ACTIVATED KILLER CELLS VIA UPREGULATION OF ICAM-1. Biochem Pharmacol. 2014 Jul 25. pii: S0006-2952(14)00420-1. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2014.07.014. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25069049.

Last updated: 9/2/14; 2:15pm EST

Cannabis Farm

NIDA Solicits Proposals from Cannabis Farmers for Research

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The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently announced that it intends to solicit proposals from those who can harvest, process, analyze, store and distribute cannabis for research.

The announcement follows the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) decision to amplify the quantity of its quota of 21,000 grams in 2014 to up to 650,000 grams. With an increase in relaxed drug laws in many states and the District of Columbia, and the legalization in Colorado and Washington, the DEA’s move suggests more investigation into the effects of the drug is needed.

The NIDA is looking for farmers who are capable of growing and processing 12 acres of marijuana and who also have an indoor growing facility of at least 1,000 square feet. The facility must have the proper controls for “light intensity, photo cycles, temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide concentrations.” The NIDA requires the possession of a current DEA registration for Schedules II to V substances and must demonstrate the capability to obtain DEA registration for Schedule I controlled substances.

An individual also must have a storage vault that is approved by both the DEA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The secure facility must be able to maintain an inventory of “400 to 700 kilograms of marijuana stock, cannabis extract and its drug dosing form, marijuana cigarettes, and its active and inactive constituents under controlled conditions.”

Finally, the NIDA requires that the offeror and/or its subcontractor responsible for producing the “cannabis extract drug dosage forms, and marijuana cigarettes, be registered with the FDA as a pharmaceutical manufacturer for both sterile products and for dosage forms.”

According to the posting, the NIDA anticipates awarding a one-year contract with four one-year options.

To review the NIDA’s posting, click here.

 

Last updated: 9/2/14; 12:15pm EST

 

cannabis

Illinois Residents May Now Apply for Medical Cannabis Program

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Today, patients and caregivers in the state of Illinois can now apply for a medical cannabis card.

Starting September 2, 2014, Illinois residents with a last name that begins with a letter that falls between A and L can now register with the state for the new Illinois medical marijuana program. Caregivers can also apply on their behalf. Supporters of the new law say as many as 100,000 individuals in the state may have illnesses that qualify them for the drug, but it is unknown how many will apply.

Under Illinois medical marijuana programs, patients planning to apply will need to have a prescription from their physician. Additionally, patients will be required to get a background check. The state’s Department of Health (DOH) will have up to 30-days to review the applications. Under the plan, patients will pay $100 a year for the application fee. Military veterans or patients on Social Security Disability Income will be a reduced fee of $50 for an application.

Patients with the last name beginning with M through Z will have to wait until November 1, 2014, to submit their applications.

Conditions that qualify for treatment with medical cannabis include AIDS/HIV, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, cachemia, cancer, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, muscular dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, seizures and more.

Dispensaries and growing centers will be able to submit applications between September 8 – 22, 2014. Officials said that with the time needed to select suppliers, to build facilities and grow the plant, medical cannabis is not likely to be available for patients in the state until next year.

Last updated: 9/2/14; 10:45am EST