Cannabis Extract and Melanoma: Insights into Cell Death Mechanisms

In 2024, over 100,000 patients are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma, which is estimated to be deadly for over 8,000 of these patients. But there is hope on the horizon because between 2013 and 2017, the death rate of patients caused by melanoma rapidly declined by approximately 6 to 7 percent each year due to advancements in treatments. One such advancement could be a cannabis sativa extract called PHEC-66. 

Recent studies have found that this cannabis extract prevented the formation of cell colonies, made it more difficult for cell migration, induced the inability of cells to move, and prevented the melanoma cell from dividing into new cells, which begins programmed cell death known as apoptosis

Given that, let’s dive into some of the various techniques that have been utilized in recent studies to show how this cannabis extract could potentially keep the number of lives lost due to melanoma on the decline.  

Cannabinoid receptor inhibition: PHEC-66 exerts its effects on melanoma cells by inhibiting both CB1 and CB2 receptors. This inhibition plays a crucial role in inducing apoptosis and halting cell cycle progression, which highlights the intricate interplay between cannabinoids and cancer cells. 

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) Levels: The measurement of ROS levels in melanoma cells treated with PHEC-66 revealed a significant increase compared to untreated cells. Elevated ROS levels are known to contribute to oxidative stress, DNA damage, and ultimately apoptosis in cancer cells, which provide further evidence of the mechanism through which PHEC-66 triggers cell death. 

Apoptosis assays:Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis conducted as part of the study confirmed a substantial increase in apoptotic cells following treatment with PHEC-66. This data point reinforces the notion that PHEC-66 induces programmed cell death in melanoma cells through specific molecular pathways that promote apoptosis. 

Cell Cycle Analysis: A recent study also included detailed cell cycle analysis, revealing that PHEC-66 treatment leads to cell cycle arrest at the G1 checkpoint. This finding indicates that PHEC-66 disrupts the normal progression of melanoma cells through the cell cycle, which contributes to their eventual demise through apoptosis and DNA fragmentation. 

This research highlights the potential of PHEC-66 as an adjuvant therapy for malignant melanoma, but further investigations are essential to explore the efficacy and safety of PHEC-66 as a treatment option for melanoma and potentially other types of cancers.  

References 

Bachari A, Nassar N, Telukutla S, et al. In Vitro Antiproliferative Effect of Cannabis Extract PHEC-66 on Melanoma Cell Lines. Cells. 2023;12(20):2450. Published 2023 Oct 13. Accessed February 27, 2024. In Vitro Antiproliferative Effect of Cannabis Extract PHEC-66 on Melanoma Cell Lines - PMC (nih.gov) 

BachariA;NassarN;TelukutlaS;ZomerR;PivaTJ;Mantri N; Evaluating the mechanism of cell death in melanoma induced by the cannabis extract PHEC-66. Cells. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38334660/.  

Depositphotos. Cannabis extract found to slow melanoma cell growth & trigger cell death. New Atlas. February 9, 2024. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://newatlas.com/medical/cannabis-extract-melanoma-inhibits-cell-cycle-triggers-apoptosis/.  

Melanoma skin cancer statistics. Melanoma Skin Cancer Statistics | American Cancer Society. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html#:~:text=About%20100%2C640%20new%20melanomas%20will,5%2C430%20men%20and%202%2C860%20women).  

McEvoy E. Cannabis extract PHEC-66 triggers cell death in melanoma, study demonstrates. Dermatology Times. February 19, 2024. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/cannabis-extract-phec-66-triggers-cell-death-in-melanoma-study-demonstrates.  

X S. New study reveals mechanism of cell death in melanoma cells by cannabis extract. Medical Xpress - medical research advances and health news. February 8, 2024. Accessed February 27, 2024. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-02-reveals-mechanism-cell-death-melanoma.html.