Study Examines How Marijuana Accelerates Growth of HPV-related Head and Neck Cancer
The ingredient that causes the high associated with cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been identified as the molecular mechanism that fast-tracks cancer growth in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
The ingredient that causes the high associated with cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been identified as the molecular mechanism that fast-tracks cancer growth in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, according to research led by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
Previous studies have linked daily marijuana use to an increased prevalence of HPV-related throat cancer, but the mechanism linking cannabis exposure to increased growth of the cancer was unknown. Published in Clinical Cancer Research, the study, “Cannabinoids Promote Progression of HPV Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma via p38 MAPK Activation,” suggests THC stimulates the p38 MAPK pathway and prevents apoptosis from occurring, thus allowing cancer cells to grow uncontrollably.
The team used animal and human cell lines to show that THC turns on the p38 MAPK pathway. They also demonstrated that HPV-positive head and neck cancer growth stopped when the pathway was turned off. These findings suggest daily cannabis use has adverse effects on oral and systemic health, and that cancer patients using cannabis for pain and/or symptom management should be advised of the possible risks.
Researchers say additional study is needed into the possibility that THC stimulates growth in other cancers.
From Decisions in Dentistry. March 2020;6(3):10.
