LogoHere’s some news for people suffering from prostate cancer. Researchers from University of Alcala, Madrid claimed to have tested the effects of the active chemicals in cannabis known as cannabinoids on PC-3, DU-a45 And LNCap which are three human prostate cancer cell lines. Apparently the research claims that the active chemicals in cannabis are capable of stopping the cell growth of prostate cancer.

The prostate cancer cells transmit molecular ‘garages’ known as receptors in which the cannabinoids can ‘park’. As per the scientists, the cancer cells apparently stops multiplying if the cannabiniods ‘park’ on a receptor called CB2.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer commented “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. 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”.

Dr Lesley Walker cautioned the public against smoking the drug. The CB2 receptors were switched off or in other words ‘closed the garage doors’ on the prostate cells as the scientists wanted to validate their findings. The prostate cells supposedly continued on dividing and growing when the cannabinoids were added to cells without the CB2 receptor. To halt the prostate cell division and spread, it is suggested that the cannabinoids connect with the CB2 receptors.

Professor Ines Diaz-Laviada, author at the University of Alcala mentioned “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”.

Approximately more than 35,000 men are known to be affected by prostate cancer every year in the UK. It is supposedly the most common cancer in men. One fourth of all new cases of cancer detected in men are prostate cancers.

This research was published in the British Journal of Cancer.