A recent study further adds to the evidence surrounding the potential anti-cancer effects of cannabis. According to a study conducted at the University of Athens Pharmacy Department, lab-modified cannabis helps to reduce cancer cells and mitigate other side effects, including those caused by chemotherapy, Greek City Times reports.
The study specifically found that lab-modified cannabinoid acids appear to significantly reduce cells that cause breast, liver and skin cancers.
It was presented by Prokopios Magiatis, an associate professor at the university’s Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, and took place during the 9th Panhellenic Conference of Applied Sciences.
The study aimed to investigate anti-cancer activity of modified cannabinoid acids, looking ahead at the potential to produce anti-cancer medicines. Prior to being used in the future for the production of anti-cancer medications in Greece, the anti-cancer activity of the lab-modified cannabis must be proven.
Researchers took part in modifying the cannabinoid acids to create new, original chemical compounds. They observed that the compounds showed enhanced penetration into cell membranes and fatty tissues and improved stability inside and outside the body.
While all substances had an improved cytotoxic effect against cancer cells, inhibiting their growth, Magiatis called cannabigerol acid butyl ester (CBG) the “most promising substance” to fight against breast cancer.
“This particular cannabinoid has also been tested for its toxicity and after experiments on mice it was shown to be non-toxic and non-psychoactive, even at very high doses,” Magitatis said. “The specific substances are protected by an international patent with the participation of the University of Athens and the company Ekati Alchemy Lab, SL. and we are currently in negotiations with major pharmaceutical companies to continue their use.”
Magiatis also noted that Greek patients have access to two preparations with medicinal cannabis: epidyolex, which only contains CBD, and Sativex, which contains a combination of THC and CBD. Each is approved by the European Medicines Agency and the Greek Medicines Authority and can be prescribed. However, the medications aren’t sold in Greece, so a special import procedure is required.
Epidyolex is generally used for epileptic seizures, while Sativex is for treating neuropathic pain and spasticity.
The products can be used as prescribed to prevent treatment of severe nausea or vomiting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy or combination therapy against HIV or hepatitis C; treatment of chronic pain associated with cancer or diseases of the central or peripheral nervous system; treatments of chronic pain associated with cancer or diseases of the central or peripheral nervous system; treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries; or as an appetite booster for patients undergoing treatment for cancer or AIDS.
“The prescription of the finished medicinal cannabis product cannot under any circumstances be a treatment of first choice. It is prescribed only to a patient who does not respond to other treatment regimens or when these are not well tolerated or are contraindicated for the specific patient,” Magiatis said.
Greece is looking to soon begin the sales of cannabis medications inside the country. In January of this year, Tikun Olam Europe, a subsidiary of Israel-based cannabis company Tikun Olam, announced it had begun operations at the country’s first medicinal cannabis production plant.
“A new era is beginning for our country with the operation of our Tikun Europe facility, paving the way for Greece to become one of the main players in the field of production and export of medical cannabis products,” Tikun Europe CEO Nikos Beis said at the time.
Experts expect the first flower-based products from Tikun Europe later this year, with oils likely to come in the first quarter of 2024, Cannabis Health News reports.
The research team consisted of Prokopis Magiatis, Evangelos Dadiotis, Eleni Melliou, Vangelis Mitsis, Aikaterini Papakonstantinou and Charalambia Boleti.
