The National Cancer Institute (NCI) updated its website to include various studies revealing how cannabis may inhibit tumor growth by killing cells, blocking cell growth, and blocking the development of blood vessels that tumors need to grow. The institute released the following statement after updating its website:
“A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells showed that it caused cancer cell death while having little effect on normal breast cells. Studies in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer showed that cannabinoids may lessen the growth, number, and spread of tumors.”
NIDA says cannabis kills cancer cells
This development comes a few months after the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) said that cannabis can kill certain cancer cells. NIDA revised their April 2015 publication to say the following:
“Recent animal studies have shown that marijuana can kill certain cancer cells and reduce the size of others. Evidence from one animal study suggests that extracts from whole-plant marijuana can shrink one of the most serious types of brain tumors. Research in mice showed that these extracts, when used with radiation, increased the cancer-killing effects of the radiation.”
Only one pure-play biotech cannabis company on the Nasdaq
GW pharmaceuticals (GWPH) is one of the only pure-play cannabis related company that trades on the Nasdaq exchange. GWPH is focused on developing cannabinoid-based medicines that treat a variety of illnesses, including cancer pain. The company expects to release data from Phase 3 cancer pain studies for Sativex during the second half of 2015.
GWPH has a number of catalysts during 2016. These include the data readouts from the first phase 3 trial for Epidiolex in Dravet’s Syndrome, a second Phase 3 trial in Dravet’s Syndrome, and two phase 3 trials in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) will read out in the first quarter of 2016.
GWPH also expects to announce data readouts for a number indications during 2016. These indication include schizophrenia, glioblastoma and diabetes. While the breadth of GWPH’s pipeline is encouraging, investors remain focused in the near term on Dravet’s and LG for Epidiolex.
Penny stock focused on developing cannabis-based cancer treatments
Generex Biotechnology Corporation (GNBT) is focused on developing treatments for cancer and diabetes. GNBT developed a proprietary platform for the oral delivery of drugs. The company’s formulations allow drugs typically administered by injection to be absorbed into the body by the lining of the inner mouth using its proprietary RapidMist device.
GNBT’s wholly owned subsidiary Antigen Express, Inc.is focused on immunotherapeutic vaccines for the treatment of malignant, infectious, allergic, and autoimmune diseases. Antigen Express has previously published its work on the development of a vaccine for viruses such as the H5N1 (avian flu) and H1N1 (swine flu) influenza strains. The advantage of the technology is that it entails entirely synthetic production methods, which are rapid, cost effective, and flexible.
GNBT entered the marijuana industry when they acquired a minority position in CannScience, a leading cannabinoid drug development firm. CannScience is a Canadian based biopharmaceutical company focused on conducting research and product development for extracts and formulations related to medical marijuana. CannScience intends to develop commercial products and obtain regulatory approval for RapidMist in the Canadian and international jurisdictions.
Authored By: Michael Berger
Michael Berger is a financial writer for MarijuanaStocks.com and the president & founder of Technical420, an independent research firm focused specifically on the cannabis sector. He was working for the equity research department at Raymond James Financial Inc., when he recognized a need for a service that provides up-to-date research and analysis on companies that operate in the cannabis industry. Mr. Berger studied finance and economics at Florida State University and is working toward achieving his CFA charter.
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