A new study has found that an extract from cannabis can have a “deadly” effect on the most common type of skin cancer, melanoma. Scientists from Charles Darwin University and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology looked at how PHEC-66, a substance from Cannabis sativa, works against melanoma cells.
They discovered that it can stop these cancer cells from growing and make them die.
The research was done in a lab and showed that the cannabis extract could connect to receptors on some melanoma cells. This means it might help treat this serious skin cancer when used with other treatments.
But more tests are needed to see if it really works well.
Nazim Nassar, a scientist at CDU, explained that the extract stops the melanoma cell from making new cells and starts a process called apoptosis, which is when the cell dies on purpose. They still need to find out if this would work in animals, not just in the lab, reports the Mirror US.
Mr. Nassar also said “We know today how this extract attaches to the receptor on the cell surface and changes the messages to the inside of the cell to manipulate the normal growth, to force it to go into [a] death progress.
“Before we take this to human trials, we have to go through animal trials, we have to make sure that these products are safe and effective.”
“And more importantly we need to find the way to deliver (the extract) directly to the cell. Probably here we’re looking at something topical or subcutaneous under the skin that will deliver the medicine directly to the target cells.”
Researchers wrote in the conclusions of the study “We have shown that PHEC-66 impedes the growth of MM418-C1, MM329, and MM96L melanoma cells. This inhibitory effect arises from interactions with CB1 and CB2 receptors.
“PHEC-66’s impact extends to the modulation of cell cycle progression, particularly evident in the sub G1 and sub G1/G1 phases.”