Cannabis has long been a subject of interest in cancer research due to its potential anti-tumor properties. While studies on animals have provided some insight into the plant’s effects on cancer, clinical trials on human subjects are limited due to the US’s Controlled Substance Act, which classifies cannabis as having “no currently accepted medical use.”
In countries with more progressive cannabis policies, such as Israel, pharmaceutical companies like Cannabics Pharmaceuticals have been able to conduct multiple clinical trials on cannabis-based treatments for cancer. These trials aim to develop cannabis-based medicines for anti-tumor therapy.
One of the main challenges in studying cannabis and cancer is the complexity of both the plant’s matrix and the heterogeneity of cancer cells. The data generated from these experiments would take years to analyze manually, leading researchers like those at Cannabics to turn to artificial intelligence and automated screening methods.
By using high-throughput screening and machine learning algorithms, the team at Cannabics is working towards personalized models of patients’ cells to optimize cannabinoid-based treatments. Their goal is to develop a diagnostic product that can help determine which types of cannabis may be most effective for individual patients.
Despite challenges and regulatory hurdles, researchers like Eyal Barad remain optimistic about the potential of cannabis-based cancer treatments. As stigma surrounding cannabinoid therapies begins to fade and regulations evolve, there is hope that advancements in this field will continue to grow.
Overall, the work being done in countries with more flexible regulations, such as Israel, may hold the key to legitimizing cannabis-cancer research and providing confidence to cancer specialists worldwide regarding marijuana’s potential benefits in oncology.
