A new study, published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapies, reports that when combined with radiation treatment, marijuana can effectively shrink one of the most aggressive types of brain tumors. And previous researches has revealed that cannabis can both destroy certain cancer cells and reduce the growth of others.

Investigators outlined the dramatic reductions in high-grade masses, when treated with a combination of radiation and two different marijuana compounds. In many cases, those tumors shrunk to as low as one-tenth the sizes of those in the control group, showing that the combination therapies are promising in treating the form of aggressive cancer.

Additionally, the scientific team is the first to document its effect of marijuana on the disease when used alongside radiation. The results from the study showed that the final effect was superior to the sum of the parts, supporting calls for formal trials in human to test these combination.

The team examined mice that had been infected with glioma and subsequently treated with radiation alone or in combination with varying levels of two cannabis compounds: THC and CBD. They found that the tumors were best treated by low doses of both THC and CBD that made the tumors more receptive to radiation treatment.

They also found that together, the low doses of THC and CBD produced a similar effect to a large dose of either compound, which is noteworthy because it indicates that patients may ultimately experience fewer side effects.

Reference:

The Combination of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Radiation in an Orthotopic Murine Glioma Model. Molecular Cancer Therapies, November 14, 2014