COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Cannabis Science, Inc., (CBIS) announces Harvard Medical School releases peer-reviewed study in the Genes & Cancer Journal strongly suggesting that Cannabidiol inhibits growth and induces programmed cell death in Kaposi Sarcomaassociated Herpesvirus-Infected Endothelium. These results from the study at Harvard Medical School support Cannabis Science's approach to the development of CS-TATI-1 to inhibit Kaposi Sarcoma.

Cannabis Science President & CEO, Dr. Robert Melamede states, "We are very encouraged to see the publication of the Harvard study that demonstrates the ability of phytocannabinoids to inhibit Kaposi cells. The Harvard resultsconfirm and emphasize the direction that we have been developing with our initial drug CS-TATI-1 to inhibit Kaposi Sarcoma. Cannabis Science is in the process of submitting several concept sheets to publicly sponsored research programs to move CS-TATI-1 into the clinic as rapidly as possible to the satisfaction of regulatory review for commercialization."

David Purdy, CEO & Founder, World AIDS Institute comments, "This groundbreaking Harvard study on the investigation of the effects on KS by cannabinoids is a fundamental game changer in the treatment of a disease that is one of the top causes of AIDS-related deaths in the world. In fact, there has been a precipitous drop in interest in KS treatment research in the activist world despite the devastation on the African continent caused by this particular AIDS-related malady."

Article is available for review below:

http://gan.sagepub.com/content/early/2012/11/08/1947601912466556.abstract

Abstract:

Kaposi sarcoma is the most common neoplasm caused by Kaposi sarcomaassociated herpes virus (KSHV). It is prevalent among the elderly in the Mediterranean, inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa, and immunocompromised individuals such as organ transplant recipients and AIDS patients. Current treatments for Kaposi sarcoma can inhibit tumor growth but are not able to eliminate KSHV from the host. When the host's immune system weakens, KSHV begins to replicate again, and active tumor growth ensues. New therapeutic approaches are needed. Cannabidiol (CBD), a plant-derived cannabinoid, exhibits promising antitumor effects without inducing psychoactive side effects. CBD is emerging as a novel therapeutic for various disorders, including cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of CBD both on the infection of endothelial cells (ECs) by KSHV and on the growth and apoptosis of KSHV-infected ECs, an in vitro model for the transformation of normal endothelium to Kaposi sarcoma. While CBD did not affect the efficiency with which KSHV infected ECs, it reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis in those infected by the virus. CBD inhibited the expression of KSHV viral G proteincoupled receptor (vGPCR), its agonist, the chemokine growth-regulated protein (GRO-), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3), and the VEGFR-3 ligand, vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C). This suggests a potential mechanism by which CBD exerts its effects on KSHV-infected endothelium and supports the further examination of CBD as a novel targeted agent for the treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma.

About CS-TATI-1

Cannabis Science's research of CS-TATI-1 will be targeted to newly diagnosed patients infected with drug resistant virus, treatment experienced patients with drug-resistant HIV strains, and those intolerant of currently available therapies. Cannabis Science will be pursuing a wide range of NIH based Federal Research Programs such as RO1's, PO1's and SBIRS which exist to support preclinical development of target validation and proof of concept studies. These studies will be implemented through collaborations with leading scientific institutions. Cannabis Science will also be pursuing other clinical research collaborations including the AIDS Clinical Trials Groups (ACTG), the Canadian AIDS Trial Network (CATN) and the European AIDS Trial Network (EATN).

About CS-S/BCC-1

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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Study Confirms Cannabis Science's Approach to Development ...