Synthetic Cannabinoid Drug may Help Treat Brain Cancer

Researchers at University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center have found that a synthetic cannabinoid drug can be effective in curing brain cancer.

The researchers said that the drug, known as dexanabinol, was effective in killing off cancer cells of various types of tumors. The researchers added that the Phase I study will be looking into the safety of the multiple doses of the drug.

Dexanabinol has already been found to successfully penetrate the blood brain barrier and its usefulness as a cancer drug was found through a new approach to drug discovery called network pharmacology.

"In this Phase I study, we are examining the safety of multiple doses of dexanabinol, extent of penetration into the brain, and suitability for future trials. What we hope to determine is the safe and optimal dose of drug in the brain. In time, we will explore the association between the molecular phenotype of the tumor and the patient's response, which may allow us to personalize future therapies", lead researcher Santosh Kesari said.

Source: Medindia