How can cannabis help treat cancer? 

Dr Velasco and his team in Madrid have completed research that suggests that cannabinoids (the active components of cannabis, CBD and THC) can help eliminate Glioma initiating cells (GICs). Glioma Initiating Cells (GICs) play a role in the growth of tumour cells.

One of the hurdles faced by current cancer drugs in their fight against tumours is GICs limiting their effectiveness.  Therefore, this research could lead to a major breakthrough in cancer therapy if used in combination with current treatments.  In order to test this hypothesis, Dr Velasco and his team plan to conduct a clinical trial in Madrid, testing cannabinoids in combination with current therapies in 30-40 patients, the research is supported by GEINO, which is the main body for neurooncology in Spain.

It is a very exciting study, as if cannabinoids are shown to be effective in humans as a cancer treatment, not only does the treatment have the potential to save lives in one of the most heart breaking and aggressive forms of cancer, it also will help grow the body of evidence for the medicinal uses of cannabis.  Many patients are forced to break the law to treat conditions such as multiple sclerosis and cancer where they often claim that cannabis is the only medication that really works in controlling their symptoms.  These patients are forced to either find drug dealers or grow their own. Another aim of this research and crowdfunding campaign is to help legitimise their therapy as it is not fair that people are forced to be outlaws for treating a condition when there are no other effective treatments available.  In addition, cancer patients in particular can find themselves paying very high prices for treating their cancer with cannabis, it can by up to £50 per day and currently they can only base their self medication on evidence from experiments in the lab and stories on the internet. There is no evidence from clinical trials yet as the studies have not been completed.

The team’s research has already shown promise in cancers of the, brain and skin and breast cancer.