Abstract: An in vitro method for identifying an anti-cancer agent, the therapeutic efficacy of which is enhanced upon administration with a second agent that increases the expression of OPRK1 and/or BAD, comprising the steps of: a. co-incubating a population of cells with a target anti-cancer agent and said second agent and b. measuring the cytotoxicity and/or cytostasis in the population of cells; wherein the therapeutic efficacy of the target anti-cancer agent is enhanced if the cytotoxicity and/or cytostasis of the target anti-cancer agent is increased compared to a control.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel therapeutic applications of low dose naltrexone (LDN). Said applications have been determined in light of the discovery by the present inventors that naltrexone acts as an antagonist of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), an innate immune receptor which elicits the production of inflammatory cytokines when agonised. Chronic inflammation and TLR9 overexpression are characteristics of a number of disorders, including certain cancers. Accordingly, the present invention provides novel uses of naltrexone in the treatment of a subject having a disorder characterised by TLR9 overexpression and/or overactivity of TLR9-mediated signalling. The present invention also provides novel uses of naltrexone in the supportive care of subject having a tumour/cancer, and methods of treating and providing supportive care to a subject, comprising the administration of naltrexone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to naltrexone or an analogue thereof, wherein the analogue is methylnaltrexone, naloxone, nalmefene and nalorphine and vitamin D or an active metabolite, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either for separate, sequential or simultaneous administration, for use in the therapy of an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: An in vitro method for identifying an anti-cancer agent, the therapeutic efficacy of which is enhanced upon administration with a second agent that increases the expression of OPRK1 and/or BAD, comprising the steps of: (a) co-incubating a population of cells with a target anti-cancer agent and said second agent and (b) measuring the cytotoxicity and/or cytostasis in the population of cells; wherein the therapeutic efficacy of the target anti-cancer agent is enhanced if the cytotoxicity and/or cytostasis of the target anti-cancer agent is increased compared to a control.

Abstract: The present invention in the field of cancer therapeutics is based on the finding (illustrated in FIG. 4) that when cannabinoids are administered to cancer cells after a chemotherapeutic agent has been administered, the combined treatment leads to lower cancer cell viability than administration of the chemotherapeutic agent alone. There is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a chemotherapeutic agent for use in the treatment of breast cancer, wherein said treatment comprises a first phase in which the chemotherapeutic agent is administered, and a subsequent second phase in which a cannabinoid is administered.

Abstract: The present invention in the field of cancer therapeutics is based on the finding that when cannabinoids are administered to cancer subjects after a chemotherapeutic agent has been administered, the combined treatment leads to increased survival prognosis, a reduction in disease progression, stabilisation of disease state and inhibition of tumour growth than administration of the chemotherapeutic agent alone. There is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a chemotherapeutic agent for use in the treatment of bladder, brain and spinal cord, colorectal, head and neck, lung, lymphoma, neuroendocrine, oesophageal, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer, wherein said treatment comprises a first phase in which the chemotherapeutic agent is administered, and a subsequent second phase in which a cannabinoid is administered.

Abstract: It has been found by the present inventors that agents that boost the expression of the opioid receptor kappa 1 (OPRK1) can enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents in multiple cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the effect is dose dependent, where the greater the induced expression of OPRK1, the greater the cytotoxicity of the chemotherapeutic agent. The increase in overall cytotoxicity is independent of the cytotoxicity of the agent that increases the expression of OPRK1, which itself has no or minimal cytotoxic effect.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that the inhibition of the proliferation of cancer cells by cannabinoids is brought about more effectively by combined treatment with low dose naltrexone (LDN) or 6-?-naltrexone (6BN), a metabolite of naltrexone. There is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising naltrexone or a metabolite thereof or an analogue thereof, for use in the treatment of cancer within a subject, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of the naltrexone or metabolite thereof or analogue of either is to be administered to the subject in a first treatment phase, wherein after the first treatment phase the subject is to be administered a therapeutically effective amount of a cannabinoid in a second treatment phase, and wherein the subject is to be administered a chemotherapeutic agent before, during or following the treatment.

Abstract: The invention is based on the finding that co-administration of 6-?-naltrexol alongside vitamin D together with a chemotherapeutic agent, results in a further reduction in lung cancer cell growth. The combination of 6-?-naltrexol with vitamin D results in a greater decrease in the growth of cancer cells compared to the sum of the effects of each agent when administered in isolation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel therapeutic applications of low dose naltrexone (LDN). Said applications have been determined in light of the discovery by the present inventors that naltrexone acts as an antagonist of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), an innate immune receptor which elicits the production of inflammatory cytokines when agonized. Chronic inflammation and TLR9 overexpression are characteristics of a number of disorders, including certain cancers. Accordingly, the present invention provides novel uses of naltrexone in the treatment of a subject having a disorder characterised by TLR9 overexpression and/or overactivity of TLR9-mediated signalling. The present invention also provides novel uses of naltrexone in the supportive care of subject having a tumour/cancer, and methods of treating and providing supportive care to a subject, comprising the administration of naltrexone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a combination of two different cannabinoids in the treatment of leukaemia. The combination of CBD with THC appears to be particularly effective in reducing cell number in this disease. Preferably the cannabinoids are used in the form of an extract of cannabis such that many of the naturally occurring compounds are co-extracted with the THC or CBD. Alternatively, the cannabinoids are present in the form of a highly purified extract of cannabis, wherein the CBD or THC are present at greater than 98% of the total extract (w/w) and the other components of the extract are characterized. Alternatively, the CBD and THC may be synthetically produced. A specific ratio of CBD and THC such as 10:1 to 1:10 (CBD:THC) or more preferably between 2:1 to 1:2 (CBD:THC) may be used.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of treating a tumor/cancer by administering naltrexone or an analogue thereof, followed by a recovery phase, and then administering a small molecule signaling inhibitor such as PI3-kinase inhibitors, AKT inhibitors, taxanes, antimetabolites, alkylating agents and/or cell cycle inhibitors. The disclosure also provides diagnostic methods for assessing a therapeutic response to the methods of treatment.

Abstract: A non-viable, whole-cell Mycobacterium for use in the treatment, reduction, inhibition or control of one or more tumours in a checkpoint inhibitor refractory patient, wherein said checkpoint inhibitor refractory patient is intended to undergo checkpoint inhibition therapy simultaneously, separately or sequentially with administration of the Mycobacterium, and/or co-stimulatory checkpoint therapy, and optionally further comprising administering one or more additional anticancer treatments or agents.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of treating a tumor/cancer by administering naltrexone or an analogue thereof, followed by a recovery phase, and then administering a small molecule signaling inhibitor such as PI3-kinase inhibitors, AKT inhibitors, taxanes, antimetabolites, alkylating agents and/or cell cycle inhibitors. The disclosure also provides diagnostic methods for assessing a therapeutic response to the methods of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a combination of two different cannabinoids in the treatment of leukaemia. The combination of CBD with THC appears to be particularly effective in reducing cell number in this disease. Preferably the cannabinoids are used in the form of an extract of Cannabis such that many of the naturally occurring compounds are co-extracted with the THC or CBD. Alternatively, the cannabinoids are present in the form of a highly purified extract of Cannabis, wherein the CBD or THC are present at greater than 98% of the total extract (w/w) and the other components of the extract are characterised. Alternatively, the CBD and THC may be synthetically produced. A specific ratio of CBD and THC such as 10:1 to 1:10 (CBD:THC) or more preferably between 2:1 to 1:2 (CBD:THC) may be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to naltrexone or an analogue thereof, wherein the analogue is methylnaltrexone, naloxone, nalmefene and nalorphine and vitamin D or an active metabolite, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either for separate, sequential or simultaneous administration, for use in the therapy of an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention in the field of cancer therapeutics is based on the finding (illustrated in FIG. 4) that when cannabinoids are administered to cancer cells after a chemotherapeutic agent has been administered, the combined treatment leads to lower cancer cell viability than administration of the chemotherapeutic agent alone. There is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a chemotherapeutic agent for use in the treatment of breast cancer, wherein said treatment comprises a first phase in which the chemotherapeutic agent is administered, and a subsequent second phase in which a cannabinoid is administered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of phytocannabinoids for increasing radiosensitivity in the treatment of cancer. Preferably the phytocannabinoids used are either tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD). Preferably the type of cancer to be treated is glioma.

Abstract: An in vitro method for identifying an anti-cancer agent, the therapeutic efficacy of which is enhanced upon administration with a second agent that increases the expression of OPRK1 and/or BAD, comprising the steps of: a. co-incubating a population of cells with a target anti-cancer agent and said second agent and b. measuring the cytotoxicity and/or cytostasis in the population of cells; wherein the therapeutic efficacy of the target anti-cancer agent is enhanced if the cytotoxicity and/or cytostasis of the target anti-cancer agent is increased compared to a control.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent that increases the expression of BAD, for use in the treatment of cancer in conjunction with a chemotherapeutic agent wherein the agent is selected from the list consisting of 6-?-naltrexol, naloxone, methyl naltrexone, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.