Cannabis extract is associated not only with slowing the growth of melanoma cells, but also with a significant increase in the rate of cell death. The extract manipulates the melanoma cells so that they kill themselves. If this method proves successful in further research, it could revolutionize the treatment of skin cancer.
In a new study involving experts from the University of Western Australia, the programmed cell death of melanoma cells was examined by a specific cannabis extract (cannabinoid PHEC-66). The results are published in the English-language journal “Cells”.
Increased cell damage
The researchers found that the cannabis extract binds to receptor sites on certain melanoma cells and then controls cell growth in two crucial phases while simultaneously increasing the extent of cell damage. This causes the cell to kill itself, the team reports.
“Damage to the melanoma cell prevents it from dividing into new cells and instead triggers programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis. This is a growing area of important research as we need to understand cannabis extracts as best we can, particularly their potential to act as anticancer agents,” explains study author Dr. Nazim Nassar in a press release.
The next step is to develop a targeted delivery system for melanoma cells to prepare it for preclinical studies.
“Advanced delivery systems have yet to be fully developed, underscoring the importance of continued efforts to ensure the proper and effective delivery of these agents to target sites,” adds Dr. Nassar added.
Cannabis could revolutionize cancer treatment
In order to ensure the sustainable effectiveness and safety of the PHEC-66 extract in cancer therapy over longer periods of time, it is now important to carry out long-term monitoring. Above all, the safety profile of the extract must be checked before it is widely introduced.
“The subsequent phase includes animal studies or preclinical studies to validate and further explore the effectiveness of the cannabinoid PHEC-66 in the treatment of melanoma and other cancers,” adds study author Professor Nitin Mantri.
If further studies are successful, the use of cannabis extracts could revolutionize cancer treatment, the research team hopes. At least this hope does not seem completely unreasonable, as other research has already indicated a helpful effect of cannabis in cancer therapy.
For example, the promising therapeutic potential of a special cannabis derivative against pancreatic cancer was reported in the specialist journal “Frontiers in Oncology”. The plant may hold the key to treating a whole range of cancers that have previously been difficult to treat. (as)
