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News, Research

Scientists Made a Cannabis Strain That Can Kill Cancer Cells

Chane Leigh

by Chane Leigh

August 12, 2020 04:53 pm ET Estimated Read Time: 5 Minutes
Scientists Made a Cannabis Strain That Can Kill Cancer Cells

Cancer is becoming increasingly common, with most people knowing someone who has been affected by this dreaded disease. Cancer is the name that has been given to a collective of related diseases which can be present in any part of the human body. Conventional and experimental treatments for cancer often involve undesired, and sometimes extreme, side effects.  Many cancer patients turn to cannabis for relief… and now, scientists have developed a modified strain of cannabis in order to kill off cancer cells. 

Normal vs Cancer Cells 

In a normal situation, the body’s cells grow, divide, and then form new cells. When the cells grow old, or if they get damaged, then they die and get replaced by new cells. When cancer comes along, this process is disrupted and the cells that should have died stay alive, the abnormal cells become even more abnormal as well as the possibility of continuous production of new cells, even when the body has no need for them. 

Cannabis is one of the world’s most documented plants and is quickly becoming the center of many medicinal research topics. Now, cannabis shows the promise of potentially curing cancer by attacking its cells. 

Background Information

The University of Newcastle (Australia) has released a statement starring Dr. Matt Dun and his breakthrough test results. Dr. Matt Dun is a cancer researcher at the university and has finally concluded three years’ worth of investigations done in collaboration with the Australian Natural Therapeutics Group (ANTG). The laboratory testing was conducted at the university itself as well as at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).

The three years of research paid off as test results displayed a modified strain of medical cannabis which can kill, or inhibit, cancer cells. The same results revealed that it could do so without impacting the normal cells. This means that cannabis is moving away from being the source of relief and moving towards becoming an effective form of treatment. 

What is This Modified Miracle Strain?

ANTG, in collaboration with Dr. Matt Dun, is able to generate a strain of cannabis referred to as ‘Eve’, which contains less that 1% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This modified strain of cannabis does contain a high quantity of the cannabis cannabinoid commonly referred to as cannabidiol (CBD). 

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The Research and Testing 

Dr. Matt Dun explained that ANTG wanted him to test Eve against cancer, of which leukemia cells were chosen for the initial testing. He goes on to express how surprised they were at the sensitivity of the leukemia cells against Eve as well as at how Eve did not kill off normal bone marrow cells nor the healthy white blood cells. 

Upon seeing the results from testing cannabis against the leukemia cells, Dr. Dun said that they “then realized there was a cancer-selective mechanism involved” and that they have “spent the past couple of years trying to find the answer.” Dr. Dun and his team worked on conducting the necessary tests and research in order to determine Eve’s potential as a cancer intervention (treatment). For one, the team ran two comparisons between cannabis containing high levels of (1) THC and (2) CBD. In the case of leukemia and pediatric brainstem glioma, the cannabis containing higher levels of CBD was more effective in killing the cancerous cells.  

The team did a literature review of over 150 academic papers which have investigated the health benefits, side effects and also the possible anti-cancer benefits of cannabis compounds THC and CBD. Dr. Dun went on to state that research is taking place all over the world on cannabis containing more of the THC compound for cancer treatment. Dr. Dun points put that “if you’re on that therapy your quality of life is impacted, you can’t drive, for example, and clinicians are justifiably reluctant to prescribe a child something that could cause hallucinations or other side-effects.” 

Eve, which has higher CBD quantities, looks to be even more effective than its’ THC counterparts and it also has lower toxicity and few side effects…thus making it an ideal treatment which can also be combined with other beneficial cannabis compounds. 

What Happens Now?

The statement released by the university explains that the next phase of the study will include investigating “what makes cancer cells sensitive and normal cells not, whether it is clinically relevant, and whether a variety of cancers respond.” They need to understand the mechanism in order to combine it with other anti-cannabis compounds, which will then amplify the effect (killing or inhibition of cancer cells). Dr. Dun and his team are getting more excited as each week more clues are revealed which helps the team get closer to their next phase goal. 

The team, like many others in the cannabis community, hopes to lessen the outdated, and quite frankly negative, stigma attached to cannabis and prescribing it to patients. 

Post Your Comments

John Robillard says:

November 21, 2020 at 1:18 pm

As a parent of a child battling Leukemia I can tell you, the way we treat caner in the US is barbaric and just lazy. Im convinced they will use pot to cure cancer. Its just a matter of research, time and descheduling it in the US. If anyone knows of stories of people curing leukemia or knows of something I should read, please send it to me at jpr876@yahoocom. Thanks so much ❤️

Reply
Skye says:

May 4, 2022 at 3:23 pm

What terpenes are in the Eve strain?

Reply
Cassie says:

July 25, 2022 at 3:53 pm

CBD is the Answer thank you for this incredible article! Where can this strain be purchased where can we buy the tincture of Eve please a friend’s son is battling neuroblastoma boney cancer and this is the treatment he desperately needs

Reply
Yvonne Panek says:

March 1, 2024 at 9:37 pm

My husband was involved with Oregon Health Sciences University hospital, after having traumatic injuries with chronic severe intractable pain. He learned to grow cannabis indica for himself and cancer patients: this was over 30 years ago, helping to get medical cannabis legal in Oregon.

He benefits from greater THC for nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and pain, depression and anxiety.

I have a back injury with nerve impairment to a leg, and have had pain relief with CBD tincture, and restless leg sleep interruption relief using CBD oil in honey straws.
I believe that cannabis is the Tree of Life.
I now have developed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, and was thrilled to read this article about the years of work around “Eve.”

The USA is in the dark ages about the medical benefits of cannabis, with Federal laws restricting lab studies. Thankfully, Oregon allows legal permits for patients, growers, processing, product lab testing and dispensaries. (I am not real pleased with recreational use that has been granted…)

I would enjoy reading about your further discoveries of which terpines, cannabinoids, etc are showing effectiveness in the treatment of cancers and other diseases.

Reply

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