Cannabis’s effect on the treatment of cancer has become a popular topic for examination. In fact, there have been multiple studies that have looked into that exact topic. Two previous studies showed that patients could use cannabis to diminish viability in the cells while also diminishing cancer growth. A recent study found that it caused cytotoxic, or toxicity to cells, activity against ovarian cancer cells. However, what made it different from previous studies is that the researchers used cannabis combinations to see their effect.

Study

In the study, the researchers focused on examining the effectiveness of combinations of cannabis compounds on ovarian cancer cells. Using a cell proliferation array, the researchers detected cytotoxic activity. The researchers used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to detect cell death, or apoptosis, and the cell cycle. 

Results

The researchers found that the combinations coming from a high Delta 9 extract and their standard mix showed cytotoxic activity against the cancer cells. They found that the most effective combination was THC, CBC, and CBG. The researchers also found that the combinations acted well in synergy with niraparib, a common anti-cancer medication. They also found that the most effective combinations working with niraparib reduced the expression of the gene that can cause cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, they found that the reduction could work with niraparib’s inhibition of the gene that might be connected with the proliferation of tumors.

Discussion

This study showed that the previous ones that described cannabis’s effect on cancer cells may be accurate. The fact that combinations coming from high Delta 9 extract worked well with a common ovarian cancer medication could show its potential as a future treatment. Please note that this would be used as treatment and not as a cure.

Hopefully, as researchers continue examining the potential benefits of cannabis, they will be able to definitively prove whether or not doctors can use it as a treatment.

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