New Molecules in Cannabis Discovered That Stimulate the Immune System to Destroy Tumor Cells
Momentum Public Relations
Blog: February 21, 2018
Medical Cannabis Going From Strength to Strength with New
Discovery by Pascal BioSciences
Scientific Proof of Efficacy Just Around the Corner as Canadian
Companies lead the Way
Global Cancer Drug Market expected to hit US$161. Billion in
2021
On February 21, 2018 the news broke that Vancouver-based Pascal
Biosciences, (TSXV: PAS) had identified molecules in cannabis
that stimulate the immune system to destroy tumor cells. It is the
first time that cannabinoids have been shown to activate an
immune system response.
The discovery is important because it works hand in hand with the
leading new class of cancer fighting agents known as checkpoint
inhibitors that activate the immune system to destroy cancer cells.
Using cannabinoids to enhance the recognition of cancer cells may
very well prove to enhance the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors.
Checkpoint inhibitors are recently approved therapies that activate
the immune system to kill cancer cells. The three which are
currently on the market, Opdivo, Keytruda and Yervoy had over
US$ 6 billion in sales during 2017. Research is ongoing to develop
drugs that enhance checkpoint inhibitors. Pascal is the first to do
so.
Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in the cannabis plant
with medical properties. More than a 100 different cannabinoid
compounds have been identified. While medical cannabis has been
available in Canada and the United States for some time its
availability and use has been based on anecdotal evidence.
Canada may very well become an international leader in medical
cannabis drug development. Tetra Bio-Pharma, (TSXV: TBP), for
instance is now conducting phase three clinical trials to prove the
safety and efficacy of a cannabinoid-based chronic and cancer pain
treatment, PPP001.
Zion Market Research predicted in 2016 that the global market for
cancer drugs would reach US$161.30 Billion by the end of 2021.
Because there has not yet been any scientific evidence that
cannabinoid-based drugs are effective or safe cannabinoid-based
treatments are in limbo. Once their safety and efficacy have been
proved they will be eligible to receive Health Canada, and in the
United States, FDA approval. This in turn will give them a Drug
Identification Number, (DIN), which in turn will allow them to be
prescribed by physicians and make them eligible for insurance
coverage.
Thanks to its phase three clinical trial to prove the safety and
efficacy of its smokable cancer and chronic pain treatment,
PPP001, it looks as if Tetra Bio-Pharma will be the first
biopharmaceutical to do so. Tetra also has a deep pipeline of
cannabinoid-based treatments for ailments such as PTSD,
anorexia, nausea and ocular pain. Tetra expects PPP001 to be on
the market as early as 2019 or at the latest during 2020.
Pascal has not yet started clinical trials.
- Published in Blog