Cannabinoids, the group of active compounds found in cannabis, are currently getting a great deal of attention from researchers for their potential medical applications. Despite many studies still being in their nascent stages, early observations are showing these compounds can decrease the growth of cancerous tumors. A new study has found pairing cannabinoids with chemotherapy drugs can increase the tumor-killing effects of both.

A team of oncologists at the University of London studying the effects of cannabinoids on leukemia cells in vitro, has observed that not only did cannabinoids enhance the death of cancer cells when used in combination with chemotherapy drugs, but the order in which the compounds were administered was vitally important.

The cannabinoids were only effective in enhancing the treatment when administered after chemotherapy. The study reports that when the order was reversed, with the cannabinoids being administered before the chemotherapy, the effect was significantly diminished.

“We have shown for the first time that the order in which cannabinoids and chemotherapy are used is crucial in determining the overall effectiveness of this treatment,” explains Dr Wai Liu, who led […]