Cannabis sativa represents a sustainable, “green chemistry” source of potentially therapeutically-active compounds. Several Cannabis-derived phytocannabinoids have been reported to have a variety of medicinal benefits including anticancer activity. We are currently investigating the feasibility of a patented cell-encapsulation system in which cells producing enzymes capable of converting an inactive phytocannabinoid prodrug into an active anti-cancer drug are encapsulated in a cellulose-based porous polymer, which can be injected immediately upstream from a tumor. An administered phytocannabinoid prodrug can be activated by the encapsulated cells at the site of the tumor. Using both specific phytocannabinoids and model compounds, a variety of cell lines were screened for the appropriate enzymatic activity to convert an inactive cannabinoid prodrug into an active drug. Five cell lines were observed that were actively producing the desired enzyme. These cell lines are currently being assessed with a specific phytocannabinoid prodrug.

Development of a cannabinoid-based Cell-in-a Box® therapeutic system targeted toward malignant tumors

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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