Efficacy of cannabinoids for leukemia patients

A new study published in the’International Journal of Oncology has shown that cannabinoids have a «significant effect» in killing cancer cells in patients with leukemia. More specifically, combining cannabinoids with chemotherapy yields better results than chemotherapy alone.

The researchers tested a lower dose of chemotherapy, minimizing side effects, while adding cannabinoids. They then observed faster and more effective destruction of cancer cells in the blood.

Dr. Wai Liu, director of the study at St. George’s University of London, explains: «For the first time, we have shown that the order in which cannabinoids and chemotherapy are administered is critical in determining the overall effectiveness of this treatment.» Dr. Wai Liu and his colleagues sought to examine, in their medical school laboratory, the effects of various combinations of cannabinoids—particularly phytocannabinoids—in combating leukemia.

Phytocannabinoids (THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids produced by cannabis) interact with the endocannabinoid system, and, like the neurotransmitter anandamide (the “happiness hormone”), bind directly to CB1 and CB2 receptors to mimic the effects of endocannabinoids.

Researchers at the British medical school wanted to determine whether existing chemotherapy treatments worked effectively in combination with cannabinoids, and whether administering the drugs in a different order had a positive effect. They note that the Phytocannabinoids have anticancer activity when they are used alone as part of a treatment.

The use of cannabinoids after chemotherapy resulted in greater induction of apoptosis, that is, the process by which cancer cells trigger their own self-destruction in response to cannabinoids.

«Studies like ours help determine the best ways to use cannabinoids to maximize their therapeutic effect,» said Dr. Wai Liu. 

Cancer Research UK, a British cancer charity and research center, welcomed the discovery of cannabinoids. However, the results should be viewed with caution.

Anna Perman, head of scientific information, said, «As things stand, we still need proper research to determine whether they are effective, for which types of cancer, and at what dose.»

The researchers themselves acknowledge that further studies are needed to confirm the validity of their findings. Dr. Wai Liu’s team emphasized that when scientists use cannabis in this research, they do not use the entire plant.

«These extracts are highly concentrated and purified, so smoking cannabis »will not have a similar effect," explains Dr. Wai Liu.

Mehdi Bautier