A CHARLES Darwin University study revealed that cannabis extract showed positive results in slowing down melanoma cell growth and increasing cell death rates, explained Dr Nazim Nassar, a practising pharmacist and pharmacologist, and the research's co-author.
"The damage to the melanoma cell prevents it from dividing into new cells, and instead begins a programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis," said Nassar.
"This is a growing area of important research because we need to understand cannabis extracts as much as possible, especially their potential to function as anticancer agents.
"If we know how they react to cancer cells, particularly in the cause of cell death, we can refine treatment techniques to be more specific, responsive and effective."
Dr Nassar said the next challenge was developing a targeted delivery system development to the melanoma cells to get it ready for pre-clinical trials.
He said that while the use of cannabis extracts to treat a variety of health conditions is stigmatised, future research into its application could change cancer treatment.
Lead author and RMIT biotechnologist Prof Nitin Mantri emphasised the necessity for a long-term follow-up to ensure the sustained effectiveness and safety of the cannabis extract in cancer treatment over extended periods.
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