[I.M. Boggled]

Cannabis may help combat cancer
[associated with gamma herpes viruses]

Scientists have discovered the active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannibol can block the spread of gamma herpes viruses.

The viruses are linked to an increased risk of the cancers Kaposis sarcoma, Burkitts lymphoma and Hodgkins disease.

The research, by the University of South Florida, is published in the online journal BMC Medicine.

Gamma herpes viruses are different from the herpes simplex viruses responsible for cold sores and genital herpes.

Among those that have been associated with an increased risk of cancer is Kaposis Sarcoma Associated Herpes Virus.

Once infected, it is almost impossible to get rid of the virus as it lies dormant for long periods within white blood cells.

However, the virus can snap back into action, and suddenly begin to replicate itself, bursting out of the cells to infect others. Once a cell has been infected the chances that it will become cancerous are increased.

The South Florida team found that this sudden reactivation was prevented if infected cells were grown in the presence of THC.

Spread blocked

Cells infected with a mouse gamma herpes virus normally died when the virus reactivated. But they survived when cultured with the cannabinoid compound, and thus the spread of the virus - and the potential spread of cancer - was blocked.

The researchers were able to show that THC specifically blocked the gamma herpes viruses - it had no impact at all on the cold sore virus herpes simplex-1.

They hope their findings will lead to the development of new drugs to neutralise the threat of the viruses.

However, lead researcher Dr Peter Medveczky said more work was needed, and stressed that it would not be sensible for people with cancers associated with gamma herpes viruses to start smoking cannabis.

He said THC was known to suppress the immune system - which could do more harm than good to patients whose immune system was often already weakened.

Dr Medveczky believes THC blocks replication of the gamma herpes viruses by targeting a gene they all carry called ORF50.

A spokesperson for Cancer Research UK warned that the results should be treated with caution.

"These are very preliminary results and it is far too early to say whether the findings will lead to practical strategies for preventing and treating cancer."

Story from BBC NEWS:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...th/3655586.stm

Published: 2004/09/15

[BigToke]

Very interesting read, thanks for sharing that.

[fetanylking]

man i find it amazing all the stuff cannabis treats and still they wont totally legalize it for med use
before reading your article i thought mj actually benefitted the immune system
wouldnt it then be extremely dangerous for aids patients (read in another ic article)

[DrJay2001]

Cannabis has very complicated actions on the immune system. It reduces inflammation in part by inhibiting TNF (tumor necrosis factor) and Interleukin-6. These are call "pro-inflammatory" cytokines.

At the same time, cannabis actually increases CD4 and CD6 immune cells so vital in combating disease. This finding comes from Dr. D. Abrams at San Francisco General Hospital. Dr. Abrams studied HIV patients using cannabis or placebo to see the effects on their impaired immune systems. Not only did cannabis not negatively effect them but it actually improved their immune response.

Yours,
Dr. jay