Cancer and Cannabis Do not Mix, But Lupus...

Smoking marijuana can trigger a suppression of the body's immune functions, making users more susceptible to certain types of cancers and infections.

The results from the recent study led by Dr. Prakash Nagarkatti from the University of South Carolina are published in the European Journal of Immunology.

"We believe the key to this suppression is a unique type of immune cell, which has only recently been identified by immunologists, called myeloid-derived suppressor cells, MDSCs," said Nagarkatti.

MDSCs actively suppress the immune system, possibly even against cancer therapy, thereby promoting cancer growth. The team of researchers demonstrated how cannabinoids can trigger a massive number of MDSCs.

"Marijuana cannabinoids present us with a double edged sword," said Nagarkatti.

Due to cannabinoids’ immunosuppressive nature, they can cause increased susceptibility to cancer and infections, but further research of these compounds “could provide opportunities to treat a large number of clinical disorders where suppressing the immune response is actually beneficial,” said Nagarkatti, such as the case with autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis.

Close to 200,000 people in the U.S. have Lupus, with women being affected nine times more than men. Women of Afro/Caribbean descent are affected three times more often than other ethnic groups. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that attacks multiple organ systems and connective tissues in the body, is incurable, but treatable, and most people with it will live a normal lifespan. The initial symptoms of Lupus are fever, joint pain and fatigue. About 30 percent of lupus patients have dermatologic symptoms, with 30 percent to 50 percent getting the characteristic butterfly shaped rash on the face. Another very serious complication is end stage renal disease (ESRD), and kidney transplants are common. Lupus can also be drug induced by quinidine, phenytoin (Dilantin), hydralazine (Apresoline), and procainamide (Pronestyl), but is fortunately reversible. Drugs used to treat lupus are frequently DMARDS (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) such as Humira, Rituxan, Remicade, Methotrexate, and Enbrel; Steroids and other immunosuppressants help reduce symptoms as well, with examples being Belimumab and Atacicept. Painkillers are common and often necessary. An ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) blood test is frequently used to diagnosis lupus.