A compound found in cannabis could halt the spread of many forms of aggressive cancer, scientists say.
Researchers
found that the compound, called cannabidiol, had the ability to 'switch
off' the gene responsible for metastasis in an aggressive form of
breast cancer. Importantly, this substance does not produce the
psychoactive properties of the cannabis plant.
The
team from the California Pacific Medical Center, in San Francisco,
first spotted its potential five years ago, after it stopped the
proliferation of human breast cancer cells in the lab. Last
year they published a study that found a similar effect in mice. Now
they say they are on the verge of publishing further animal study
results that expand these results further.
Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, study
co-leader Dr Sean McAllister, said: 'The preclinical trial data is very
strong, and there's no toxicity. There's really a lot or research to
move ahead with and to get people excited.'
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