Study Finds THC Inhibits the Growth of Melanoma Skin Cancer

Study Finds THC Inhibits the Growth of Melanoma Skin Cancer

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits melanoma tumor growth, according to a study published in the October, 2015 issue of the journal Life Science, and published online by the National Institute of Health. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, killing nearly 10,000 people annually.

For the study, researchers examined the effect of cannabis-derived THC on the growth of melanoma “in vitro and in vivo in wild type (WT) and CB1/CB2-receptor deficient mice (Cnr1/2^-/-). Next, they “evaluated the role of the endogenous cannabinoid system by studying the growth of chemically induced melanomas, fibrosarcoma and papillomas in WT and Cnr1/2^-/- mice.”

Researchers found that; “THC significantly inhibited tumor growth of transplanted HCmel12 melanomas in a CB receptor-dependent manner in vivo through antagonistic effects on its characteristic pro-inflammatory microenvironment. Chemically induced skin tumors developed in a similar manner in Cnr1/2^-/- mice when compared to WT mice.”

They conclude; “Our results confirm the value of exogenous cannabinoids for the treatment of melanoma”.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Bonn’s Department of Dermatology and Allergy, can be found by clicking here.

– TheJointBlog