Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Biology

First Reader

Dr. Lori Hensley

Second Reader

Dr. Tim Knight

Third Reader

Dr. Nancy Hardman

Abstract

Ewing's Sarcoma belongs in the Ewing's Sarcoma Family of Tumors (EFST) which represents approximately 2% of all cancers found in children and young adults. These tumors are generally treated by chemotherapy along with either surgery or radiation therapy which can themselves have debilitating effects on the patients. Dr. Lori Hensley's research has shown that ajulemic acid (AJA), a synthetic cannabinoid compound, exhibits extraordinary anti-tumor effects. In addition, AJA has not expressed any psychotropic side effects typically seen with other cannabinoids. Furthermore, ajulemic acid has been shown to eliminate the tumors by apoptosis, the preferred method of cell death. The purpose of this research is to observe if AJA can decrease the ability of cancerous cells to metastasize.

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