THC Found to be Prohibitive to Cancer-Causing Herpes Viruses

(Adapted by ScienceDaily.com from information gathered by University Of South Florida Health Sciences Center.)

ScienceDaily (Sep. 24, 2004) — Tampa, FL (Sept. 22, 2004) -- Delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol more commonly known as THC found in marijuana, may prohibit the spread of several types of cancer-causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine research suggests. This research, published Sept. 15 in the BMC Medicine online journal, could lead to the development of antiviral medicine created from non-psychoactive derivatives of THC.

The gamma herpes viruses include Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpes virus, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer that is particularly prevalent in AIDS sufferers. Another is Epstein-Barr virus, which predisposes infected individuals to cancers such as Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease.

Once someone is infected, these viruses can lie in a state of dormancy inside white blood cells for long periods of time before they are released and begin multiplying. This reactivation increases the amount of infected cells, which in turn increases the risk that the cells will become cancerous.

Virologist Peter Medveczky, MD who led the study, found that if infected cells were grown with THC present, this reactivation did not occur. While cells that had a mouse gamma herpes virus normally died when the virus was reactivated, they survived when cultured in the lab alongside the cannabinoid compound – which further supports the suggestion that THC may prevent viral outbreaks.Also, the research found that THC reacts only on gamma herpes viruses. THC did not affect HSV-1, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.

“… THC [was] found to be stronger and [more] selective…than … acyclovir, gancicyclovir and foscamet,” said Dr. Medveczky, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.

USF researchers propose that THC reduces the spread of gamma herpes viruses by targeting ORF50, a common gene on these viruses.

Dr. Medveczky stressed that more studies must be conducted to verify findings. "We have not evaluated … THC in an animal model … we do not recommend [its use to humans]."

“Moreover,” Dr. Meveczky said, “THC has also been known to suppress the immune system so smoking marijuana could "do more harm than good" to patients whose immune systems are often already weakened.”

University Of South Florida Health Sciences Center (2004, September 24). Cannabis May Help Combat Cancer-causing Herpes Viruses. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/09/040923092627.htm