Research Pioneer: Ethan Russo MD

Ethan Russo, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher. He has held faculty appointments in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Montana, in Medicine at the University of Washington, and as visiting professor, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is currently Past-President of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, and is former Chairman of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines.

Role of cannabinoid receptor CB2 in HER2 pro-oncogenic signaling in breast cancer.

Authors: Eduardo Pérez-Gómez, Clara Andradas, Sandra Blasco-Benito, María M. Caffarel, et al
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 8 April 2015

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological activation of cannabinoid receptors elicits antitumoral responses in different cancer models. However, the biological role of these receptors in tumor physio-pathology is still unknown. METHODS: We analyzed CB2 cannabinoid receptor protein expressio…

Proapoptotic effect of endocannabinoids in prostate cancer cells.

Authors: O. Orellana-Serradell, C. E. Poblete, C. Sanchez, E. A. Castellón, I. Gallegos, et al
Oncology Reports, April 2015

In the early stages, prostate cancer is androgen‑ dependent; therefore, medical castration has shown significant results during the initial stages of this pathology. Despite this early effect, advanced prostate cancer is resilient to such treatment. Recent evidence shows that…

Current Status and Future of Cannabis Research

Authors: Ethan B. Russo, Alice P. Mead, Dustin Sulak
Clinical Researcher, April 2015

Although cannabis is primarily viewed by the public as a recreational drug or agent of abuse, its medical application spans recorded history.1,2 Evolution has yielded a cannabis plant that produces a family of some 100 chemicals called phytocannabinoids (“plant cannabinoids”)…

Phytocannabinoids and epilepsy

Authors: R. G. dos Santos, J. E. C. Hallak, J. P. Leite, A. W. Zuardi, J. A. S. Crippa
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, April 2015

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Antiepileptic drugs often produce serious adverse effects, and many patients do not respond to them properly. Phytocannabinoids produce anticonvulsant effects in preclinical and preliminary human studies, and appear to produce fewer adverse effects…