British researchers look for link between CBD and reduction of brain tumors in children

British scientists are currently investigating the role of CBD in reducing brain tumours in children.

Research initiated by citizens' movements

This cannabidiol study was prompted by a growing number of parents testing CBD oils on their children with brain tumors. What's more, the parents are going through online purchases and not using any medical prescriptions.

Researcher Richard Grundy, of Nottingham University's children's brain tumour center, says that over the past six months, the number of parents administering CBD without a doctor's prescription has multiplied. The British have classified CBD as a drug and authorize pharmaceutical companies to apply for licenses to use this cannabinoid.

First research on childhood brain tumors

Yet no research has been done in England on CBD and brain tumors. «New ways of treating brain tumors in children are urgently needed to extend and improve quality of life in patients with malignant brain tumors. We are excited to test the effect of cannabidiol on brain tumor cells,» said Dr. Grundy.

Brain tumors kill more children in the UK than any other type of cancer. Around 1,750 minors are diagnosed with cancer every year, of which around 400 are brain and spinal cord cancers.

The study will investigate whether CBD reduces tumors. Researchers will grow cells from different brain tumors under laboratory conditions, some with the addition of cannabidiol molecules and some without. They will then compare how the presence of tumor cells differs in the two samples using a technique called cell staining. This will help them see how many cells are dividing and whether they are dying.

Katie Sheen, of the «Astro Brain Tumor Fund», which is co-funding the study, said CBD could be a gentler, less toxic way of treating cancer than chemotherapy or radiotherapy, if it proves effective on brain tumors.

Dr Wai Liu, a researcher at St George's University in London, said: «We've done experiments using CBD in leukemia and it can deactivate signaling pathways, making cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.».

Liu added: «All cells need to communicate and if these communications get blocked, CBD tries to correct this. Ideally, this leads to cell death.

«People think that children's cells are more flexible, CBD may have a slightly different effect. We will be able to understand the precise mechanism and value of this treatment when studies like this are done« .

Via The Guardian