Researchers from the University of
Alcala, in Madrid tested the effects of the active
chemicals in cannabis called cannabinoids on three
human prostate cancer cell lines - called PC-3,
DU-a45 and LNCaP.The
prostate cancer cells carry molecular 'garages'
called receptors in which cannabinoids can 'park'.
The scientists showed for the
first time that if cannabinoids 'park' on a receptor
called CB2, the cancer cells stop multipyling.
But Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer
Research UK's director of cancer information warned
patients against smoking the drug. She said: "This
is interesting research which opens a new avenue to
explore potential drug targets but it is at a very
early stage - it absolutely isn't the case that men
might be able to fight prostate cancer by smoking
cannabis."
Dr Walker added: "This research
suggest that prostate cancer cells might stop
growing if they are treated with chemicals found in
cannabis but more work needs to be done to explore
the potential of the cannabinoids in treatment."
To confirm the findings the
scientists switched off the CB2 receptors - or
'closed the garage doors'- on the prostate cells.
When cannabinoids were then added to cells without
the CB2 receptor, the prostate cancer cells carried
on dividing and growing. This suggests that
cannabinoids connect with the CB2 receptors on
prostate cancer cells to stop cell division and
spread.
Professor Ines Diaz-Laviada, study
author at the University of Alcala said: "Our
research shows that there are areas on prostate
cancer cells which can recognise and talk to
chemicals found in cannabis called cannabinoids.
These chemicals can stop the division and growth of
prostate cancer cells and could become a target for
new research into potential drugs to treat prostate
cancer."
Prostate cancer is the most common
cancer in men in the UK- affecting more than 35,000
men in the UK each year. A quarter of all new cases
of cancer diagnosed in men are prostate cancers
