November is Men’s Health Month. According to “Movember”-the leading charity changing the face of Men’s Health “Prostate Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United States. It is especially common over the age of 50 and in African American men. Globally more than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Across the country, there are more than 3.25 million men living with and beyond this disease. Many are dealing with serious side effects from treatment”.
Cannabis has been shown to alleviate the nausea, pain, anorexia symptoms caused by Cancers. What is the latest on Cannabis as a Treatment for Prostate Cancer itself?
Cannabinoids produce their physical and psychological effects by interacting with specific receptors on cell surfaces that they bond with. There are two types of receptors:
Cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) are mostly found in the brain, and also in the male and female reproductive systems. They also exist less prominently in central and peripheral pain pathways (nerves) which explains the pain relief benefits of cannabinoids, especially THC.
Cannabinoid receptors type 2 (CB2) are mostly found in the immune system, and may confer antiinflammatory and other therapeutic effects.
How cannabis affects prostate cancer cells
Research has shown that prostate cancer cells (PCC) have higher levels of both CB1 and CB2 receptors than normal cells. Thus, cancer cells have a greater affinity for cannabinoids than normal cells. Laboratory studies demonstrated that when the cells are treated with specific cannabinoids, three things occur:
- The cells became more prone to apoptosis (programmed cell death).
- Androgen (male hormone) receptor activity on the cancer cell surfaces decreased (prostate cancer appears to be “fueled” by androgens)
- Cannabinoids, THC and CBD, decrease the formation of tumor blood vessels (angiogenesis) needed for prostate cancer tumors nourishment.
An update from 12/19/20 research supports non -psychoactive CBDs antitumor effect. Kis et al. note lab studies on Prostate Cancer (PCa) have shown CBD has a Chemoprotective Effect, Stimulates PCC Death Pathways and Boosts Antitumor Activity. CBD is also a “potent inhibitor” of exosome release from PCCs. Exosomes are very tiny particles containing molecular messages. These messages can change the behavior of healthy cells to create a “biogenetic pathway” for the spread of Prostate Cancer. A cell study by Kosgodade et al. showed CBD’s ability to regulate the release of PCa exosomes is an important anti-cancer activity.
There is clear evidence that CBD can inhibit PCa cell growth and division, promote PCa cell death and block PCa cells from turning normal cells cancerous. The De Petrocellis study found that under certain conditions, cannabinoids had a synergistic effect with chemotherapy (docetaxel) or hormone therapy (bicalutamide). As promising as results appear, all research to date has been done using lab animals or lab cultured PCC lines. Human clinical trials related to CBD use for PCa have focused on prevention or treatment of pain and chemotherapy side effects in advanced cases.
This points to the importance of continuing the push to federally legalize Cannabis, creating more opportunity for research on CBD as a preventative or treatment for localized PCa, other cancers, as well as many other diseases and symptoms.
In the meantime, striving for a healthy lifestyle is highly recommended. This includes adequate fluids, lowfat, lowsalt diet, with a variety of fruits, vegetable and proteins, maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding smoking, consuming alcohol in moderation, managing stress, daily movement/exercise, regular checkups and screening for early detection.
So grow a Mustache in support of Movember- a charity focused on Men’s Health that’s taking on Mental Health Suicide Prevention, Prostate and Testicular Cancer. To donate or learn more https://us.movember.com/.