A man diagnosed with a brain tumor and given just two years to live says “his brain tumor has almost completely disappeared after ‘vaping cannabis’. James attributes his “recovery” to his use of Cannabidiol (CBD) Indica.” He exclaims, “I would rather be illegally alive than legally dead. I do put it down to diet and taking CBD.”
Phil James, 32, from Oakenholt Flint, UK testifies that using CBD Indica, found in cannabis through a vaporizer significantly shrunk his brain tumor. According to James, he has not experienced a seizure in almost a year since he started using cannabis when in the past, he would suffer from their occurrence every six to eight weeks.
James is an advocate of legalizing medical marijuana based on his own survival story and how his use of it surpassed the lifetime that he was given by doctors. He said, “I was told I had two years to live. I was told there was nothing that could be done.”
More than two years after his diagnosis of grade three Anaplastic Astrocytoma (a brain tumor) and six clear brain scans later with only a minimal trace of his tumor, James said, “I am able to work as a freelance 3D artist for science education and I pay my taxes. I’ve even been able to get my driving license back.”
The Research that Urged James to Use CBD Indica
What convinced James to use CBD Indica is a research paper at St. George’s, University of London by Katherine Scott, Angus Dalgleish, and Wai Liu on the anti-cancer effects of CBD and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on glioma (brain cancer).
This study confirms the potential for compounds in marijuana to treat an otherwise nearly untreatable form of brain cancer.
Now, Dr. Wai Lui, a Senior Research Fellow at St George’s, University of London, and lead researcher on a study describes his work in detail. Dr. Lui investigated the anti-cancer effects of a standardized cannabis extract called Sativex in glioma cells.
“The results are promising. There may be other applications but for now it could provide a way of breaking through glioma and saving more lives,” Lui concludes.
Pot’s two main active ingredients, THC and CBD, combined with irradiation “virtually” brought cancer growth to a stand still in cell and mouse trials. Natural cannabinoid extract worked better than lab-made THC.
“High-grade glioma is one of the most aggressive cancers in adult humans and long-term survival rates are very low as standard treatments for glioma remain largely unsuccessful,” according to researchers Katherine A. Scott, Angus G. Dalgleish, and Liu from the Oncology Department at St. George’s University of London.
The federal government lists cannabis as a Schedule I drug. Under the statute, in order for a drug to be classified as Schedule 1, there must be a finding that it has no medical value. Increasing scientific evidence to the contrary when it comes to cannabis, makes its place on Schedule 1 a veritable anomaly. However, 23 states have medical marijuana laws, and untold thousands of patients with untreatable gliomas are turning to cannabis not only for palliative treatment of chemo nausea and pain, but as an adjunctive therapy for treating the cancer itself.
Dr. Liu’s Explanation on Cannabis and Cancer
Dr. Liu shared briefly about cancer occurring as a result of uncontrolled growth of cells and the mechanisms that signal that growth. More specifically, these signals pass through a series of proteins that can mutate and cause cancer.
However, different cancers are caused by the mutation of different proteins, so the effects of THC and CBD depend on the type of cancer it’s being used. According to Dr. Liu and the rest of his team’s research, cancers of the blood and brain appear to be specifically susceptible.
James’ Personal Experience In Relation to The Research
Disclaimer
- This is anecdotal evidence even if promising. It’s only one case study.
- There is evidence that CBD and THC have anti-cancer properties, particularly with brain cancer
- The study uses CBD and THC as adjunctive therapy (in addition to radiation)
- It’s unclear if Phil James received standard treatment before he began vaping CBD
- HOW CANNABIS OIL HELPS WITH CANCER TREATMENT AND KILLS CANCER CELLS https://www.drkelley.info/2014/12/25/how-cannabis-can-treat-cancer/
- There are 45 nutrients the human body can’t live without, nor can our bodies manufacture. -24 minerals,13 vitamins 8 amino acids.
Cancer Treatment
Research has shown that cannabidiol can inhibit cancerous tumor cell growth.
CBD has even shown an ability to kill cancerous cells, allowing the body to eliminate them entirely. This is due to its anti-oxidative properties.
Considering 7.6 million people die from cancer every year, this discovery is huge.
CBD oil treatment is beneficial and lessens the THC “high” to treatment for cancer patients, also providing pain relief, nausea relief, aiding with appetite, and more.
http://humansarefree.com/2018/04/33-amazing-and-proven-benefits-of-cbd.html
Cannabis extract can have dramatic effect on brain cancer, says new research
Experts have shown that when certain parts of cannabis are used to treat cancer tumours alongside radio therapy treatment the growths can virtually disappear.
“The results are extremely exciting,” says Dr Wai Liu
The new research by specialists at St George’s, University of London, studied the treatment of brain cancer tumours in the laboratory and discovered that the most effective treatment was to combine active chemical components of the cannabis plant which are called cannabinoids.
Two of these called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) were tested as part of the research into brain cancer which is particularly difficult to treat and claims the lives of about 5,200 each year. It also has a particularly poor prognosis as the rate of survival after five years of patients’ diagnosis is around 10%.
Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in cannabis and are also known more specifically as phytocannabinoids. There are 85 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.
The new research is the first to show a drastic effect when combining THC and CBD with irradiation. Tumours growing in the brains of mice were drastically slowed down when THC/CBD was used with irradiation.
Dr Wai Liu, Senior Research Fellow lead researcher on the project, said: “The results are extremely exciting. The tumours were treated in a variety of ways, either with no treatment, the cannabinoids alone, and irradiation alone or with both the cannabinoids and irradiation at the same time.
“Those treated with both irradiation and the cannabinoids saw the most beneficial results and a drastic reduction in size. In some cases, the tumours effectively disappeared in the animals. This augurs well for further research in humans in the future. At the moment this is a mostly fatal disease.
“The benefits of the cannabis plant elements were known before but the drastic reduction of brain cancers if used with irradiation is something new and may well prove promising for patients who are in gravely serious situations with such cancers in the future.”
The research team are discussing the possibility of combining cannabinoids with irradiation in a human clinical trial.
The research has been published in the Molecular Cancer Therapeutics journal.
Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in cannabis and are also known more specifically as phytocannabinoids. There are 85 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. The primary psychoactive component of cannabis is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Journal Reference: https://www.
- Katherine A. Scott, Angus G. Dalgleish, and Wai M. Liu. The Combination of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Radiation in an Orthotopic Murine Glioma Model. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 2014; DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-14-
0402
University of St George’s London. “Cannabis extract can have dramatic effect on brain cancer, says new research.” ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/
Cannabinoid Cancer Treatment Study at the University of London
Part One – The Worldwide Escalation of Cancers http://www.weedworldmagazine.org/2017/08/14/cannabis-shrinks-aggressive-brain-tumors-3-case-studies-part-one/
Part Two – The Clinical Cases http://www.weedworldmagazine.org/2017/08/14/cannabis-shrinks-aggressive-brain-tumors-mri-evidence-3-recent-case/
How much is 1 gram of cannabis oil you should take daily although not a given being some build up in increments and find their limit!!!
Dr. Liu, given the current state of knowledge, how do you think LDN is best used as a support to other cancer treatment(s)?
My general feeling is that the multi-faceted nature of LDN means it is quite an adaptable compound. We and others have shown that it can impact both immune cells and cancer cells, and in doing so, possibly alter the way that the body’s immune system interacts with cancer cells. Specifically with regards to the direct effects on cancer cells, there is evidence to suggest that LDN can modify a number of proteins within these cancer cells. As these proteins can influence the way that some cancer cells grow and survive, I think that LDN could be used in conjunction with, and to support the effects of, more conventional treatments.
Specifically with regards to the direct effects on cancer cells, there is evidence to suggest that LDN can modify a number of proteins within these cancer cells.
Which cancers have you studied using LDN, and which seem to be most responsive to LDN therapy?
My work has been limited to in vitro (laboratory) studies in cancer; as part of this approach, a large number of cancer types have been screened. We have seen modulation of cancer function in a number of these cancer cell lines, but so far, there have not been any particular types that stand out as being “more responsive” to LDN. In a bizarre way, this makes LDN a more interesting drug!
Sometimes we can get too distracted by the positive results. It is always exciting to see LDN altering cancer cells, causing them to die; however, I want to understand why some cancer cells are less responsive, why some do not die. Are there ways we can adapt treatment schedules to improve effectiveness? I believe that it is only by understanding the limitations of LDN we can push through them, and ultimately increase the number of patients that could benefit from using it.
It is always exciting to see LDN altering cancer cells, causing them to die; however, I want to understand why some cancer cells are less responsive, why some do not die.
What are the current questions you are exploring in your LDN research? Please describe the current clinical trial you are working on.
We feel that LDN has the potential to be used in a cancer setting through its effects on intracellular functions. Our earlier data provided us with clues as to how LDN may be working to counteract cancer growth, and so we’re currently exploring the best combinations and schedules that could be employed to optimize this effect overall. The longer term plan is: guided by these in vitro (laboratory) studies, to design formal clinical trials to assess the efficacy of LDN in patients.
What do you think are the next questions we should be asking in determining LDN’s effectiveness in cancer treatment?
I think it is important to establish the best therapeutic regimen/schedule by which LDN should be used. Although the science supports strongly the “anti-cancer” effects of LDN, without the formal clinical trials, this drug will never be accepted more widely.
I also think that establishing the interaction between LDN and immune-function is crucial in determining the overall role for LDN in patients. I have only mentioned the direct effects of LDN, as my work has recently been in this field, but it is important to also establish how best to dovetail these direct anticancer effects with the immune-modulatory ones, in order to optimize and maximize efficacy.
I also think that establishing the interaction between LDN and immune-function is crucial in determining the overall role for LDN in patients.
What is your advice to physicians who have yet to prescribe LDN because of the absence of “gold standard” clinical trials?
This is always a difficult question to answer. I am not a clinician, and so will always cede to them all things to do with the patient-physician relationship. I would just say that the science suggests LDN has a particular mechanism of action that has been shown in studies to be capable of impeding the way that certain cancer cells grow and survive.
I sense that, in some situations, the difficulty can be determining: which drug should I use for this patient? So physicians profile the cancer in their patients, and they rightly use these signatures to select treatments best suited to target the cancer cells.
LDN is one drug that may just fit the bill.
…the science suggests LDN has a particular mechanism of action that has been shown in studies to be capable of impeding the way that certain cancer cells grow and survive.
What are your current thoughts for patients who have failed conventional cancer therapies and are interested to try LDN?
Although LDN has been shown to be active in certain cancers in the laboratory, and compelling testimonies about its activity gleaned from websites, it has not officially been recognized as an anticancer drug. I am conscious that this may not be helpful, but the situation is that LDN, as a potential cancer therapy, is still in development.
I would say there are always a number of clinical trials that are regularly initiated. These can be found on a number of websites, and they would be a good gateway to understanding and getting a feel for what potential new therapies may be available. I would urge patients to collect as much information about possible new treatments, and then mention them to their doctors, posing such questions as,
“How does this work and why should I not be on it?” https://vimeo.com/189722639
