Cannabis Science Inc (fka CBIS)

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Cannabis Science (CBIS) Featured in HIV Plus Magazine; National HIV Patient Magazine Brings Attention to CBIS Approach to Research on Treating HIV-Driven Inflammation with Cannabinoids


Last update: 27/02/2015 1:45:21 pm



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCQB: CBIS), a U.S. Company specializing in cannabis formulation-based drug development, announces that an article published in the March/April 2015 issue of HIV Plus is highlighting Cannabis Science's clinical research programs to develop cannabinoid-based treatments for Kaposi's sarcoma and HIV-driven inflammation. Recent peer-reviewed publications have demonstrated the potential of cannabinoids to address these two diseases, for which new treatments are urgently needed. Cannabis Science is the only company working on the development of cannabinoid-based drugs for Kaposi's sarcoma and HIV-driven inflammation.

"Could Cannabis Treat HIV?"

(http://www.hivplusmag.com/treatment/2015/02/24/could-cannabis-treat-hiv) is the second article featured in a leading HIV media venue on research that has been published by leading academic institutions on investigations of the utility of cannabinoids as safe and cost-effective treatments for Kaposi's sarcoma and HIV-driven inflammation, highlighting Cannabis Science's clinical research programs (see Cannabinoids as Treatment). Researchers from Harvard Medical School found that Cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits growth and induces cell death in Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) infected endothelium and conclude further research is warranted on the potential of CBD to address this AIDS-defining cancer. Kaposi's sarcoma significantly declined with the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), but is increasing again in HIV patients in the U.S. at higher CD4 counts than before and remains a leading cause of death in people living with HIV in developing nations.

Research conducted by Mt. Sinai and Temple University found that cannabinoids have direct antiviral activity against HIV. The team at Mt. Sinai reported that agonists of Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2) reduced infection in primary CD4+ T cells following cell-free and cell-to-cell transmission of CXCR4-tropic HIV. Researchers at Temple University discovered that CB2 agonism may be a strategy to limit HIV infection of macrophages, which has implications for efforts for HIV cure research.

"Kaposi's sarcoma is comprised of KSHV infected tumor spindle cells and tumors associated macrophages that provide a growth factor environment supporting tumor cell growth," said Mike McGrath, MD, PhD, Professor of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco and a member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. "Modulation of CB2 would predictably interfere with ongoing macrophage HIV infection and decrease inflammation, both activities that would limit the production of tumor promoting factors leading to interference with tumor growth."

The recently published article in HIV Plus, as well as previously published articles in A&U magazine (http://aumag.org/wordpress/2013/07/09/cannabinoids-as-treatment/) and TheBodyPro, support the development of cannabinoid-based treatments for Kaposi's sarcoma and HIV-driven inflammation. Growing consensus amongst Key Opinion leaders support the premise that Cannabinoid based therapies could result in significant advances in reaching the new goals unveiled at the XX International AIDS Conference this past July in Melbourne, Australia. These articles also support the momentum for federal funding for research on cannabinoid based therapies for Kaposi's sarcoma and HIV, given that the U.S. is the largest funder of global HIV treatment, care and prevention in the world and is heavily invested in controlling HIV both in the U.S. and around the world through programs AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), PEPFAR and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

In addition to these two articles, POZ published an article, "Up in Smoke" (http://www.poz.com/articles/medical_marijuana_2916_26814.shtml?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=mainstage&utm_campaign=print) in the February 2015 issue on the benefits of medical marijuana for HIV patients featuring Dr. David Hardy and Dr. Gary Blick.

"Cannabis Science is eager to initiate human studies on Kaposi's sarcoma, which is a leading cause of morbidity in people living with HIV both in the U.S. and overseas. Our forthcoming clinical investigations hope to advance a cost-effective therapeutic that represents a low economic barrier to access to patients in resource-poor settings that presents comparable efficacy to current clinical approaches," said Roscoe M. Moore, Jr., DVM, PhD, MPH, Assistant U.S. Surgeon General (Retired) who serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Cannabis Science.

Under the guidance of its Scientific Advisory Board, Cannabis Science is maturing its clinical research program, CS-TATI-1, to develop cannabinoid-based treatments for Kaposi's sarcoma and HIV-driven inflammation.

HIV Plus (www.hivplusmag.com) is a leading U.S. HIV community publication read by patients, clinicians, advocates and others involved in the HIV pandemic. Founded in 1989, HIV Plus covers a wide range of HIV-related topics including new research, advances in treatment, new prevention interventions and social issues. HIV Plus provides news that raises awareness of HIV-related cultural and policy developments in the U.S. and throughout the world. This national magazine is distributed at medical centers and AIDS service organizations throughout the country.