cannabisnews.com: Cannabis May Combat Cancer-Causing Herpes Viruses










  Cannabis May Combat Cancer-Causing Herpes Viruses

Posted by CN Staff on September 22, 2004 at 07:25:11 PT
Press Release  
Source: Newswise  

Newswise -- The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report. The findings, published Sept. 15 in the online journal BMC Medicine, could lead to the creation of antiviral drugs based on nonpsychoactive derivatives of THC.
The gamma herpes viruses include Kaposi’s Sarcoma Associated Herpes virus, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer that is particularly prevalent in AIDS sufferers. Another is Epstein-Barr virus, which predisposes infected individuals to cancers such as Burkitt’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease.Once a person is infected, these viruses can remain dormant for long periods within white blood cells before they burst out and begin replicating. This reactivation of the virus boosts the number of cells infected thereby increasing the chances that the cells will become cancerous. The USF team, led by virologist Peter Medveczky, MD, found that this sudden reactivation was prevented if infected cells were grown in the presence of THC. While cells infected with a mouse gamma herpes virus normally died when the virus was reactivated, these same cells survived when cultured in the laboratory along with the cannabinoid compound – further evidence that THC prevents viral reactivation. Furthermore, the researchers showed that THC acts specifically on gamma herpes viruses. The chemical had no effect on another related virus, herpes simplex-1, which causes cold sores and genital herpes. Small concentrations of THC were more potent and selective against gamma herpes viruses than the commonly used antiviral drugs acyclovir, gancicyclovir and foscamet, said Dr. Medveczky, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology. The USF researchers suggest that THC selectively inhibits the spread of gamma herpes viruses by targeting a gene these viruses all share called ORF50. Dr. Medveczky emphasized that more studies are needed. “We have not evaluated the effect of THC in an animal model yet so we do not recommend people start using pot to prevent or treat cancers.”In fact, Dr. Meveczky said, THC has also been shown to suppress the immune system so smoking marijuana could “do more harm than good” to patients whose immune systems are often already weakened.Note: The compound in marijuana that produces a high may help block the spread of cancer-causing herpes viruses.Complete Title: Cannabis May Help Combat Cancer-Causing Herpes VirusesSource: Newswise (VA)Published: September 22, 2004Copyright: 2004 NewswiseContact: editor newswise.comWebsite: http://www.newswise.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmCannabis May Help Combat Cancerhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19494.shtmlMarijuana May Stall Brain Tumor Growthhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19339.shtmlUCSF Study Finds No Harm to HIV+ Patients http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17093.shtmlMarijuana Use Does Not Accelerate HIV Infection http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17092.shtml 

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Comment #7 posted by AOLBites on February 03, 2005 at 13:07:15 PT
another article
THC in marijuana may block the spread of forms of cancer causing herpes virusesPosted By: News-Medical in Medical Research NewsPublished: Wednesday, 22-Sep-2004The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report.The findings, published Sept. 15 in the online journal BMC Medicine, could lead to the creation of antiviral drugs based on nonpsychoactive derivatives of THC.The gamma herpes viruses include Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpes virus, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer that is particularly prevalent in AIDS sufferers. Another is Epstein-Barr virus, which predisposes infected individuals to cancers such as Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease.Once a person is infected, these viruses can remain dormant for long periods within white blood cells before they burst out and begin replicating. This reactivation of the virus boosts the number of cells infected thereby increasing the chances that the cells will become cancerous.The USF team, led by virologist Peter Medveczky, MD, found that this sudden reactivation was prevented if infected cells were grown in the presence of THC. While cells infected with a mouse gamma herpes virus normally died when the virus was reactivated, these same cells survived when cultured in the laboratory along with the cannabinoid compound – further evidence that THC prevents viral reactivation.Furthermore, the researchers showed that THC acts specifically on gamma herpes viruses. The chemical had no effect on another related virus, herpes simplex-1, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.Small concentrations of THC were more potent and selective against gamma herpes viruses than the commonly used antiviral drugs acyclovir, gancicyclovir and foscamet, said Dr. Medveczky, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.The USF researchers suggest that THC selectively inhibits the spread of gamma herpes viruses by targeting a gene these viruses all share called ORF50.Dr. Medveczky emphasized that more studies are needed. "We have not evaluated the effect of THC in an animal model yet so we do not recommend people start using pot to prevent or treat cancers."In fact, Dr. Meveczky said, THC has also been shown to suppress the immune system so smoking marijuana could "do more harm than good" to patients whose immune systems are often already weakened.http://hsc.usf.edu/More Medical Marijuana InfoThe medical use of marijuana enjoys wide public support. More than 70% of respondents to recent surveys agree that marijuana should be available medically. Sources: Pew Research Center for the People & the Press conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates. Feb. 14-19, 2001 and The Gallup Poll. March 19-21, 1999.Marijuana is safe. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrative Law Judge, Francis L. Young stated in his 1988 ruling, “Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known. [The] provisions of the [Controlled Substances] Act permit and require the transfer of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for the DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance.” Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration. In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition. (September 6, 1988) Docket #86-22. p. 57.Marijuana can be used to treat a variety of conditions. Approved by approved voter initiative in 1998, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act allows for the use of marijuana to treat cancer, glaucoma, AIDS/HIV, cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures (epilepsy), and persistent muscle spasms (Multiple Sclerosis). Currently, more than 300 Oregon physicians participate in this program. A blue ribbon panel of physicians, nurses, and patients appointed to review new indications added agitation from Alzheimer’s Disease to this list in July 2000. Source: Oregon Department of Human Services, Medical Marijuana Program. http://www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/hclc/mm/Smoked marijuana is effective. Evaluation of controlled studies conducted in six different U.S. states indicates that smoked marijuana is 70-100% effective in controlling the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and substantially outperformed the synthetic THC capsule (Marinol®) and other commonly prescribed antiemetics. Source: Musty, Richard E. and Rita Rossi. “Effects of Smoked Cannabis and Oral D9 –Tetrahydrocannabinol on Nausea and Emesis after Cancer Chemotherapy: A Review of State Clinical Trials.” Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics (2001): Vol. 1, p. 29.Marijuana is not a “gateway” drug. According to the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, “There is no evidence that marijuana serves as a stepping stone [to other drugs of abuse] on the basis of its particular physiological effect…It does not appear to be a gateway drug to the extent that it is the cause or even that it is the most significant predictor of serious drug abuse.” Source: Joy, Janet E., Stanley J. Watson, Jr., and John A. Benson, Jr. Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base for the Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, Institute of Medicine. (Washington DC: National Academy Press, 1999), Chapter 3, pp. 98-100.Medical groups support marijuana. Numerous prestigious medical organizations support access to medical marijuana. These include American Academy of Family Physicians, American Preventive Medical Association, American Public Health Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Lymphoma Foundation of America, National Association of People with AIDS, National Women’s Health Network, and the New England Journal of Medicine. Source: Patients out of Time. http://www.medicalcannabis.com.Marijuana should be made available to sick people. As Tennessee State Senator Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) put it, “If people need pain relief, then they ought to have anything that God has provided on this earth to help.” Source: Editorial, “Testing Medical Marijuana Urged,” Chattanooga (Tennessee) Times & Free Press, April 12, 2001.Please see http://ohiopatient.net for more Medical Marijuana Analysis
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=4990
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 23, 2004 at 15:45:02 PT
Related Article from Better Humans.com
Pot Blocks Cancer-Causing Herpes Ingredient responsible for marijuana's high could be the basis for new antiviral drugs Betterhumans Staff 9/23/2004 Credit: National Cancer Institute
Cell savior: Delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol, better known as THC, saves cells such as these that are infected with certain herpes viruses http://www.betterhumans.com/Program_Files/Betterhumans/Images/Contex/2004-09-23-1.jpgThe ingredient that gives marijuana its high also appears to block the spread of some cancer-causing herpes viruses. Researchers at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa say that delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol, better known as THC, could be the basis for new antiviral drugs. They aren't recommending, however, that people take matters into their own hands yet."We have not evaluated the effect of THC in an animal model yet so we do not recommend people start using pot to prevent or treat cancers," says virologist Peter Medveczky.Common virusHerpes virus infections are some of the most prevalent in humans, causing such symptoms as cold sores and genital herpes, a result of infection with the herpes simplex-1 virus.Medveczky and colleagues looked at the effects of THC on what are known as gamma herpes viruses, which include Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpes virus and Epstein-Barr virus. The former particularly predisposes infected AIDS sufferers to an increased risk of cancer, and the latter predisposes infected people to such cancers as Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease.In infected people, herpes viruses can remain dormant in white blood cells for a long time. When they're reactivated and begin replicating, it increases the number of cells infected and increases the risk of cancer. Potent and selectiveCannabis has increasingly attracted attention for cancer treatment and prevention. Researchers at Complutense University in Madrid, Spain recently reported, for example, that cannabinoids significantly lower a cancer-promoting growth factor in mice and in tumors from people with a common type of brain cancer.For their study, Medveczky and colleagues looked at the effect of THC on cells infected with a mouse gamma herpes virus. They found that the virus's reactivation was prevented in cells grown in the presence of THC. They also found that THC protected cells infected by the mouse gamma herpes virus from death, further evidence for its efficacy. In fact, small concentrations of THC were found to be more potent and selective than the commonly used antiviral drugs acyclovir, gancicyclovir and foscamet. THC appeared to have no effect on herpes simplex-1 virus infections. The researchers think that it selectively impacts gamma herpes viruses by targeting a gene called ORF50. Copyright: 2002-2004 BetterhumansThe research is reported in the journal BMC Medicine (read abstract).http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/2/34/abstracthttp://www.betterhumans.com/News/news.aspx?articleID=2004-09-23-3
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 22, 2004 at 12:18:22 PT

EJ I Believe Walking Helps
I saw that too. I haven't been feeling well for a while and one of the things I decided to do was exercise. I got one of those exercise gadgets that they show on tv. I have injuries from horse accidents and it's hard to work out and not cause more injuries to myself. I always was physically active until I started doing CNews. I exercise my brain but I have not worried about my over all health. I don't need to lose any weight but I want to get fitter. It does a good job and no stress on me.
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Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on September 22, 2004 at 12:08:47 PT

Dr. Russo and everyone -- doesn't this suggest...?
" Walking as little as 90 minutes a week can significantly reduce the rate of mental decline in the elderly, delaying the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to two large studies reported today, one involving men and the other women.Researchers had already known that more intense physical activity was beneficial to the brain, but it was not clear that less rigorous exercise such as walking was helpful. The studies in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. show that it is. "So -- I think this is one more sign that cannabinoids protect the brain against dementia. Physical activity stimulates cannabinoids. Many of the wonderful miraculous effects of physical activity seem to match the effects of cannabinoids seen in the lab. Some day the link will be more than conjecture.
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Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on September 22, 2004 at 09:59:55 PT

Correction, and an old joke
In this story it says he injected the Botox into her temples, but in a previous LA Times story they said it was injected into her neck. That's why I said he injected it into her neck.I wonder, how did this stuff get approved so easily and we can't get off of Schedule I not even with research like the above.This reminds me of a joke I heard I think on Ed Sullivan when I was little, during the Civil Rights movement, back when Southerners tried to keep black people from voting by making them take rigged "literacy tests":A black man goes to vote in Imacracker County and they give him a literacy test to see whether they're going to let him vote. They show him a document with some funny writing on it. He says, that's the Declaration of Independence, and he reads it to them. Then they show him another document with some even funnier writing on it, and he says, that's a passage from the Bible written in Hebrew, and he reads it to them.Finally they show him this big scroll written with some really funny writing.He says, that's Chinese, and even though I don't know Chinese, I can tell you what it says: No black man is ever going to vote in Imacracker County.So that's sort of the situation with medical marijuana research and rescheduling, I think.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 22, 2004 at 09:46:42 PT

EJ Oh My
I would be so afraid to use Botox. I guess I don't care about wrinkles that much. I care a little but getting wrinkles is a natural part of aging. 
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Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on September 22, 2004 at 09:35:34 PT

Here's a companion story on Botox
Botox, the deadly nerve toxin that was quicklly approved by the government for treating that dire American health care emergency -- wrinkled rich women!There is now a big splashy lawsuit going on over Botox in LA:http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-et-piccalo22sep22,1,5549026.story?coll=la-home-headlinesThe irony here is that Irene Medavoy's problems happened after her doctor tried to use Botox to treat her migraines, by shooting a huge dose into her neck.Dr. Russo believes migraines are caused by an endocannabinoid deficiency.If only this woman had been able to try pot instead of botulism toxin.
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