Posted on 06/07/2007 12:39:03 PM PDT by AU72
The active compound in marijuana, THC, can slow the growth of lung tumours and reduce the spread of the cancer in mice, a preliminary study reveals. They hope that drugs mimicking the apparent anti-cancer effects of tetrahydrocanabinol (THC) could one day help treat patients. Ramesh Ganju at the Harvard Cancer Center in Boston, Massachusetts, US, and colleagues deposited human lung cancer cells under the skin of a dozen mice and allowed the tumours to grow in the animals for about two weeks. They then began giving half of these mice daily injections of about 250 micrograms of synthetic THC right next to the tumours for three weeks. Tumours in the control mice averaged about 0.6 grams in weight by the end of the five-week trial. By comparison, those in the mice that received THC weighed just 0.25 grams 60% less. Blood blocker Ganju believes that THC inhibits cancer growth by blocking the formation of blood vessels within tumours. Previous tests on human lung cancer cells in a dish suggested that THC blocked the signalling of a substance known as epidermal growth factor (EGF). Under normal circumstances, EGF may promote blood vessel development, Ganju says. Previous studies have also found that THC can shrink brain tumours. Nevertheless, experts caution people against smoking marijuana. "I wouldn't advise that. It could make the cancer grow faster," says Ganju, noting that THC might encourage the growth of breast cancer. He adds that that "a lot of work needs to be done" before scientists fully understand how THC affects tumours.
(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...
However, it caused all the female lab mice in the study to want to be with "jazz" mice.
I learned all I needed to know about pot from Reefer Madness.
(from the doctor that did this experiment)
"I wouldn't advise that (smoking pot). It could make the cancer grow faster," says Ganju, noting that THC might encourage the growth of breast cancer.
lmao.....................lolol
They don’t mention a serious side-effect: The mice start growing dreds.
why, because the gov’t told you so......
>>Our dear neighbor, a man who has NEVER smoked in his life, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer several months ago. Hes doing well, thank God. But let us not get carried away with the assumption that being a non-smoker guarantees much of anything.<<
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The recent shift in the histology of esophageal cancer and the wide geographic variation in incidence have provided insights into the pathophysiology and risk factors associated with the disease. The relative public health importance of these different risk factors may be substantially different in different parts of the world.
Smoking increases the risk of both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, although the risk is more established for squamous cell carcinoma. When compared with nonsmokers, male smokers have at least a fourfold increase in risk of this disease. The risk correlates directly with the amount and duration of smoking. When smokers quit, their risk continues to exceed that of nonsmokers for several years after smoking cessation.
In the Western Hemisphere, alcohol is also a major risk factor for the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk by a factor of 10 to 25, depending on the type and quantity of alcoholic beverages consumed, although it appears that the amount of alcohol rather than the type is of greatest importance.3 Smoking has a synergistic effect with heavy alcohol consumption, and heavy exposure to both increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by a factor of more than 100. This is further complicated by the increased risk of other aerodigestive tract cancers in a person who smokes and drinks alcohol.
www.clevelandclinicmeded.com
Note that the mice still die, it just takes longer and they are high all of the time. From Fast Times at Ridgemont High - “Just give me cool tubes and a nice buzz man!”.
Read it more carefully. It slows the growth, does NOT KILL any cells. To say this is THC and not MJ is like saying Calcium is good for bones, not milk.
And actually this study does seem to suggest that it is benificial to healthy cells. They concentrated the THC on the healthy cells around the cancerous ones and the cancer did not spread there. seems it gives it some sort of resistance to it. Worthy of more research I'd say.
This article is from last April. Did you just come back from a Ron Paul convention?
But I suppose no matter what, if the treatment does not cause nausea, vomiting, and other painful maladies it will be coctail hour to those who wish pain and suffering upon others. Charming.
My best friend’s father recently died of esophageal cancer. He smoked a couple of packs a day for 4 decades. Therefore, my anecdote cancels out your anecdote. Smokers and non-smokers are now back to square one.
The government sponsored the development of Marinol.
It’s approaching 4:20 EST.
All together now!
Who in the H*** cares if d*mned mice get cancer, anyway?
The government says NO!
I have no doubt that the Cleveland Clinic’s information is true. Thank you for sending it.
My point, though badly written, was supposed to convey that non-smokers would do well not to assume that they are/will be exempt from every imaginable malady, simply on the basis that they’re smoke-free. Especially those who are overweight and refuse to look at the new stats on that issue.
The article says there was a 60% reduction in lesions indicating a slowing of the spreading, not an elimination of the spreading.
In pill form.
That they give to chemo patients.
Who can't keep anything on their stomachs.
Burma Shave
He’s been struggling for quite sometime.
“A really great guy in our church was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer and doesnt smoke or dip either.”
I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll say some prayers for him.
Time dialation was always one side affect of that stuff.
Well make up my mind. Either THC works, or it grows cancer. Ohhhh nooo, must not smoke it, must use synthetic at ten times the price...
Notice how they used synthetic THC, instead of natural extract. This allows the drug companies to make a profit from something that people can figure out how to grow themselves.
The possibilities are once again proving that Marijuana is an important medicinal herb. Stuff it, big bro!
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