A pair of scientists at California Pacific Medical Center in San
Francisco has found that a compound derived from marijuana could stop
metastasis in many kinds of aggressive cancer, potentially altering the
fatality of the disease forever.
"It took us about 20 years of research to figure this out, but we are very excited," said Pierre Desprez, one of the scientists behind the discovery, to The Huffington Post. "We want to get started with trials as soon as possible."
The Daily Beast first reported
on the finding, which has already undergone both laboratory and animal
testing, and is awaiting permission for clinical trials in humans.
Desprez, a molecular biologist, spent decades studying ID-1, the gene
that causes cancer to spread. Meanwhile, fellow researcher Sean McAllister
was studying the effects of Cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-toxic,
non-psychoactive chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Finally,
the pair collaborated, combining CBD and cells containing high levels
of ID-1 in a petri dish.
"What we found was that his Cannabidiol could essentially 'turn off'
the ID-1," Desprez told HuffPost. The cells stopped spreading and
returned to normal.
"We likely would not have found this on our own," he added. "That's why collaboration is so essential to scientific discovery."
Desprez and McAllister first published a paper about the finding
in 2007. Since then, their team has found that CBD works both in the
lab and in animals. And now, they've found even more good news.
"We started by researching breast cancer," said Desprez. "But now
we've found that Cannabidiol works with many kinds of aggressive
cancers--brain, prostate--any kind in which these high levels of ID-1
are present."
Desprez hopes that clinical trials will begin immediately.
"We've found no toxicity in the animals we've tested, and Cannabidiol
is already used in humans for a variety of other ailments," he said.
Indeed, the compound is used to relieve anxiety and nausea, and, since
it is non-psychoactive, does not cause the "high" associated with THC.
While marijuana advocates will surely praise the discovery, Desprez explained that it's not so easy as just lighting up.
"We used injections in the animal testing and are also testing
pills," he said. "But you could never get enough Cannabidiol for it to
be effective just from smoking."
Furthermore, the team has started synthesizing the compound in the
lab instead of using the plant in an effort to make it more potent.
"It's a common practice," explained Desprez. "But hopefully it will
also keep us clear of any obstacles while seeking approval."
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