MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (LSE:MXC, OTC:MGCLF, ASX:MXC) said a three-year pre-clinical programme examining the use of cannabinoids to treat an aggressive form of brain cancer delivered ‘outstanding results’.
Specifically, it found that its formulations were cytotoxic to glioblastoma tumour and stem cells, reducing their viability and inducing programmed cell death, known as apoptosis.
MGC said it is planning to undertake additional research ‘to further demonstrate the formulation's efficacy’.
"The results of this trial are enormously exciting both for the company, and for the treatment of fatal cancerous tumours,” said managing director Roby Zomer.
“MGC Pharma's research has demonstrated the effect of naturally derived cannabinoid products on stage IV brain tumours without the use of toxic chemotherapy components.
“We are proud of the work achieved thus far and are looking forward to advancing our proprietary formulation to the next stage of clinical trials."
The company used 30 biopsies taken from 18 patients to assess the optimal ratio of cannabidiol (CBD) to cannabigerol (CBG).
As well as showing that MGC's formulations killed glioblastoma tumours and stem cells, the tests revealed the treatment's efficacy was not enhanced by the addition of a widely used chemotherapy treatment linked to adverse events.