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Enhancing the in vitro cytotoxic activity of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in leukemic cells through a combinatorial approach 

Authors: Wai M. Liu ab;  Katherine A. Scott b;  Jonathan Shamash b;  Simon Joel b; Thomas B. Powles b
Affiliations:   a Department of Oncology, St. George's University of London, London, UK
b Department of Oncology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
DOI: 10.1080/10428190802239188
Publication Frequency: 12 issues per year
Published in: journal Leukemia and Lymphoma, Volume 49, Issue 9 September 2008 , pages 1800 - 1809
First Published: September 2008
Formats available: HTML (English) : PDF (English)
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Abstract

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active metabolite of cannabis, which has demonstrable cytotoxic activity in vitro. In support of our previously published data, we have investigated the interactions between THC and anti-leukemia therapies and studied the role of the signalling pathways in mediating these effects. Results showed clear synergistic interactions between THC and the cytotoxic agents in leukemic cells. Additionally, exposure of cells to sub lethal levels of THC (1 μM) sensitised cells to these cytotoxic agents, by reducing IC50 values by ∼50%. Sensitisation appeared to be dependent upon the ability of THC to down regulate phosphorylated ERK, as cells dominantly expressive of MEK were not sensitised to the cytotoxic drugs by equi-molar amounts of THC. Overall, these results demonstrate for the first time that a combination approach with THC and established cytotoxic agents may enhance cell death in vitro. Additionally the MAPK/ERK pathway appears responsible in part for these effects.
Keywords: Cannabis; MAPK; combination; leukemia; cytotoxicity
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