Medical marijuana may stop growth of cancer cells: researchFebruary 13, 2019 - 13:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - New research from Penn State College of Medicine shows medical marijuana may stop the growth of colon cancer cells, ABC reports. According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the U.S. The research looks to change the outcome for patients. "Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in the United States and it's also the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.," said Wesley Raup-Konsavage, the research project manager. The researchers looked at synthetic derivatives of the compounds found in medical marijuana and how they interacted with cancer cells in test tubes. "Of the 370 compounds, it turns out that 10 were fairly effective against all colon cancer cell lines," said Kent Vrana, chair of the Department of Pharmacology at Penn State College of Medicine. Researchers will next look at making these compounds more potent and effective against cancer cells. "The possibility for medical marijuana is immediate because that can be used now in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," said Vrana. "We just don't know what it's doing. In terms of these specialized chemicals, they probably wouldn't become true drugs for another five to 10 years." While this research was focused mainly on colon cancer cells, it could impact other cancer cells as well. "We have a sense for what works there. We suspect it will work for other things," said Vrana. "We're actually trying it for neuroblastoma right now." The National Institutes of Health helped support the study, which took about a year and a half. Right now in Pennsylvania, there are about 20 qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient, which include cancer, autism, epilepsy, and HIV. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |