Cannabis and Cancer

There is a lot of buzz going around regarding cannabis as a cancer cure. This is inaccurate from a medical standpoint. Cannabis does not cure cancer, cannabinoids contained within cannabis as well as your own endocannabinoids kill cancer cells. There is a hard distinction between what is considered a cure and what is considered a treatment.
You can use cannabinoids as a treatment to kill off cancer cells, but the patient must make lifestyle changes (i.e., live healthier, avoid exposure to carcinogens, stop smoking tobacco, eat healthier, etc.) in order to ensure that the cancer does not come back.
With that said, there are 4 mechanisms by which cannabinoids kill cancer cells:
Mechanisms through which Cannabinoids in Cannabis Kills Cancer Cells.
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Anti-Proliferative - Prevents cancer cells from reproducing.
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Anti-Angiogenic - Prevents formation of new blood vessels needed by the tumor to grow.
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Antimetastatic - Prevents cancer cells from spreading to other organs.
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Apoptotic - Causes cancer cells to die. When cannabinoids bind to the receptors of a cancer cell, a compound known as ceramide is produced which signals the cancer cell to shut off it’s own mitochondria, causing the cancer cell to die.
This is confirmed in in vitro (studies in cell cultures in petri dishes) and in vivo (studies in living animal models including but not limited to: rats, guinea pigs, monkeys, apes, even horses). Unfortunately we still need double blind controlled clinical trials; this is illegal at the Federal level.
Scientists throughout the world are trying to understand fully how these mechanisms function, and this involves mapping out and understanding the Endocannabinoid System; not just for cancer, but for all of the various therapies possible with this emerging field of study. The main scientists behind these researches involve but are obviously not limited to: Dr Raphael Mechoulam (Israel), Dr Manuel Guzman (Spain), Dr Vincenzo De Marzo (Italy), Dr Lester Greenspoon (Harvard University), Professor Bob Melamede (University of Colorado), Dr Donald Abrams (San Francisco General Hospital), Dr Tod Mikuriya (deceased).
At the end of this article is a comprehensive list of medical research over the past 40 years surrounding cannabis and the following 7 cancers: Breast Cancer, Colon and Colorectal Cancers, Gliomas, Leukemia, Lung Cancer, Lymphomas, and Prostate Cancers.
Utilizing Cannabinoids to Treat Cancer
It must first and foremost be stressed that what we can recommend as medical cannabis consultants cannot override what the patient’s primary doctor says. Cannabis should also be used as an adjunctive medicine (to be combined with what the doctor is prescribing or recommending) and not as a replacement.
Cannabis can be used as a multifaceted approach to cancer but has and can only be professionally recommended as a treatment for the symptoms of cancer - nausea, appetite loss, weight loss, pain, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Marinol (Dronabinol) and Nabilone (Cesamet) are two synthetic cannabinoids mimicking THC that have been approved by the FDA. The latter was approved as a schedule II drug in 1985. None of the synthetic cannabinoids currently on the market are accompanied by the valuable terpenoids produced by the cannabis plant. It should be noted, however, that Sativex (Nabiximols) is a plant derived oral spray that has been approved in the UK (by GW Pharmaceuticals) for the purposes of treating pain, spasticity, and an overactive bladder in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients.
Synthetic cannabinoids (marinol and nabilone) have been used in conjunction with chemotherapy over the past 30 years with mixed results.
Utilizing the Cannabis Plant to Treat and Potentially Beat Cancer
Knowing what we know now of the individual compounds contained in the cannabis plant - the various properties of the cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBN), the terpenoids, and how the entourage effect works, it becomes increasingly evident that the cannabis plant may be far more effective at treating cancer than we had thought. Successful case studies and medical research are finding more and more that this plant, which is remarkably non-toxic, can .significantly aid with not just improving the quality of life for a cancer patient, but with potentially saving it.
In general, scientific studies have shown that natural cannabis may be quite useful for treating various kinds of cancers for the following reasons: killing cancer cells, reducing possible inflammations caused by the cancer, significantly reducing pain, protecting from possible nerve damage caused by the cancer, helping to regulate blood flow should the cancer cause complications with this, acting as an immunosuppressant in the case of related cancers, helping to combat depression, helping to reduce anxiety, helping to combat insomnia, assisting with one’s appetite, helping to reduce nausea.
Beneficial Cannabinoids and Terpenoids Useful for Treating Various Cancers:
The cannabis plant offers a plethora of therapeutic benefits and contains cannabinoids and terpenoid compounds that may be useful in the treatment of various cancers and their debilitating symptoms. The following list denotes which cannabinoids and terpenoids work synergistically with each other for possible therapeutic benefit:
Rick Simpson’s Oil/Full Extract Oil
There are numerous case studies and success stories involving Rick Simpson’s oil, a crude and simple but effective extraction of the cannabis plant’s trichomes and cannabinoids. These oils are made using a grain alcohol to extract the medicine. The alcohol is then typically boiled off leaving a thick tarish oil (unfortunately many of the valuable terpenoids are also lost in the creation of the oil, but it is still an effective way to consume THC and even CBD). More information about Rick Simpson can be found on pheonixtears.ca/ and the documentary “Run From the Cure”. Credit should be given here as this documentary has helped to spark the conversation of cannabis as a cancer cure in the public eye. The oil is typically very potent when made. Unfortunately the medical and scientific community does not currently recognize these oils as official medications for the treatment of cancer.
Elemental Wellness typically carries these oils but it is not always guaranteed to be in stock.
The Reality of Cannabis and Cancer
Cannabis has been studied for the treatment of cancer for the past 40 years and there are volumes of medical and scientific literature calling for further research, double blind clinical trials, and for the rescheduling of cannabis as a drug. As more research is done and as more individual case studies/success stories come forward, it is going to be increasingly hard for society to continue to turn a blind eye on this powerful medicine.
Incorporating cannabis into the medical arsenal for combatting cancer is something that we should hope to see in the future - our experiences as consultants allow us to see firsthand the success stories, the survivors, and the real patients that have made the courageous choice to try an alternative approach. There is daily proof of the medical efficacy of this plant, and it is seen in every consultation at the counter - not just for cancer, but for every ailment that we come across.
Cannabis and Cancer Medical Studies:
Breast
Disease Modification of Breast Cancer-Induced Bone Remodeling by Cannabinoid 2 Receptor Agonists
Lozano-Ondoua, Alysia, et al.
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2012 Dec 18, 28(1): 92-107 (Full).
Takeda, Shuso, et al.
Toxicology Letters. 2012 Nov 15, 214(3): 314-319 (abstract).
Cannabinoids: A new hope for breast cancer therapy?
Caffarel, Maria M, et al.
Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2012 Nov, 38(7): 911-918 (abstract).
Shrivastava, Ashutosh, et al.
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 2011, 10: 1161-1172 (Full).
Nasser, Mohd W, et al.
PLoS ONE. 2011 Sep, 6(9) (Full online article).
McAllister, Sean D, et al.
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 2011 Aug, 129(1): 37-47 (abstract).
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists inhibit tumor growth and metastasis of breast cancer
Qamri, Zahida, et al.
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 2009 Nov 3, 8: 3117-3129 (Full).
Caffarel, M M, et al.
Oncogene. 2008, 27: 5033-5044 (Full).
Von Bueren, A.O., et al.
Anticancer Research. 2008, 28: 85-90 (Full).
Cannabidiol as a novel inhibitor of Id-1 gene expression in aggressive breast cancer cells
McAllister, Sean D, et al.
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 2007, 6: 2921-2927 (Full).
Caffarel, Maria M, et al.
Cancer Research. 2006 Jul 1, 66: 6615-6621 (Full).
Laezza, Chiara, et al.
FEBS Letters. 2006 Nov 13, 580(26): 6076-6082 (Full).
Ligresti, Alessia, et al.
The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2006, 318(3): 1375-1387 (Full).
Melck, Dominique, et al.
Endocrinology. 2000, 141(1): 118-126 (Full).
Melck, Dominique, et al.
FEBS Letters. 1999 Dec 17, 463(3): 235-240 (Full).
The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation
De Petrocellis, Luciano, et al.
Proceedings of the National Academy Sciences of the United States of America. 1998 Jul 7, 95(14): 8375-8380 (Full).
Colon/Colorectal
Aviello, Gabriella, et al.
Journal of Molecular Medicine. 2012 Aug, 90(8): 925-934 (abstract).
Induction of Apoptosis by Cannabinoids in Prostate and Colon Cancer Cells Is Phosphatase Dependent
Sreevalsan, Sandeep, et al.
Anticancer Research. 2011, 31: 3799-3808 (Full).
Gustafsson, Sofia B, et al.
PLOS ONE. 2011 Aug 25, e0023003 (Full online article).
Concerted Action of CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor and Deleted in Colorectal Cancer in Axon Guidance
Argaw, Anteneh, et al.
The Journal of Neuroscience. 2011 Jan 26, 31(4): 1489-1499 (Full).
Effects of Anandamide on Polyamine Levels and Cell Growth in Human Colon Cancer Cells
Linsalata, Michele, et al.
Anticancer Research. 2010, 30: 2583-2590 (Full).
Thapa, Dinesh, et al.
Biochemical Pharmacology. 2010 Jul 1, 80(1): 62-71 (abstract).
Greenhough, Pastos, et al.
International Journal of Oncology. 2010 Jul, 37(1): 187-193 (abstract).
Santoro, Antonietta, et al.
International Journal of Cancer. 2009, 125: 996-1003 (Full).
Cianchi, Fabio, et al.
Clinical Cancer Research. 2008, 14: 7691-7700 (Full).
Estrogenic induction of cannabinoid CB1 receptor in human colon cancer cell lines
Notarnicola, Maria, et al.
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2008, 43(1): 66-72 (abstract).
Greenhough, Alexander, et al.
International Journal of Cancer. 2007, 121: 2172-2180 (Full).
Kogan, Natalya M, et al.
The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2007, 322(2): 646-653 (Full)
The cannabinoid CB2 receptor: a good friend in the gut
Izzo, AA, et al.
Neurogastroenterology & Motility. 2007, 19: 704-708 (Full).
Involvement of cannabinoid receptors in inflammatory hypersensitivity to colonic distension in rats
Sanson, M, et al.
Neurogastroenterology & Motility. 2006, 18: 949-956 (Full).
Cannabinoids and cancer: potential for colorectal cancer therapy
Patsos, HA, et al.
Biochemical Society Transactions. 2005, 33(4): 712-714 (Full).
Pastos, HA, et al.
GUT. 2005, 54: 1741-1750 (Full).
Wright, Karen, et al.
Gastroenterology. 2005 Aug, 129(2): 437-453 (abstract).
Possible endocannabinoid control of colorectal cancer growth
Ligresti, Alessia, et al.
Gastroenterology. 2003 Sep, 125(3): 677-687 (abstract).
Frytak, Stephen et al.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 1979 Dec 1, 91(6): 825-830 (abstract).
Glioma
Rocha, Francisco Carlos Machado, et al.
Journal of Neuro-Oncology. 2014 Jan, 116(1): 11-24 (abstract).
The intersection between cannabis and cancer in the United States
Bowles, Daniel W, et al.
Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology. 2012 Jul, 83(1): 1-10 (abstract).
Marcu, Jahan P, et al.
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 2010 Jan 12, 9: 180-189 (Full).
Salazar, Maria, et al.
Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2009 May 1, 119(5): 1359-1372 (Full).
Galanti, Gil, et al.
Acta Oncologica. 2008, 47: 1062-1070 (Full).
High concentrations of cannabinoids activate apoptosis in human U373MG glioma cells
Widmer, M, et al.
Journal of Neuroscience Research. 2008 Nov 1, 86(14): 3212-3220 (abstract).
Cannabinoids Inhibit Glioma Cell Invasion by Down-regulating Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Expression
Blazquez, Cristina, et al.
Cancer Research. 2008, 68: 1945-1952 (Full).
Cannabinoids Induce Glioma Stem-like Cell Differentiation and Inhibit Gliomagenesis
Aguado, Tania, et al.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2007 Mar 2, 282(9): 6854-6862 (Full).
Velasco, Guillermo, et al.
Molecular Neurobiology. 2007 Apr, 36(1): 60-67 (abstract).
A pilot clinical study of ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme
Guzman, M, et al.
British Journal of Cancer. 2006, 95: 197-203 (Full).
Cannabinoids: potential antitumoral agents?
Guzman, Manuel
Cannabinoids. 2006, 1(2): 15-17 (Full).
Massi, P, et al.
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS. 2006 Sep, 63(17): 2057-2066 (abstract).
Vaccani, Angelo, et al.
British Journal of Pharmacology. 2005, 144: 1032-1036 (Full).
McAllister, Sean D, et al.
Journal of Neuro-Oncology. 2005 Aug, 74(1): 31-40 (abstract).
Hypothesis: cannabinoid therapy for the treatment of gliomas?
Velasco, Guillermo, et al.
Neuropharmacology. 2004 Sep, 47(3): 315-323 (abstract).
Cannabinoids Inhibit the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Pathway in Gliomas
Blazquez, Cristina, et al.
Cancer Research. 2004, 64: 5617-5623 (Full).
Antitumor Effects of Cannabidiol, a Nonpsychoactive Cannabinoid, on Human Glioma Cell Lines
Massi, Paola, et al.
The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2004, 308(3): 838-845 (Full).
Inhibition of Glioma Growth in Vivo by Selective Activation of the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor
Sanchez, Cristina, et al.
Cancer Research. 2001, 61: 5784-5789 (Full).
Jacobsson, Stig, et al.
The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2001 Dec, 299(3): 951-959 (Full).
?9-Tetrahydrocannabinol induces apoptosis in C6 glioma cells
Sanchez, Cristina, et al.
FEBS Letters. 1998, 436: 6-10 (Full).
Cannabinoids inhibit N-type calcium channels in neuroblastoma-glioma cells
Mackie, Ken, et al.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. 1992 May, 89: 3825-3829 (Full).
Leukemia
Cannabinoid-induced apoptosis in immune cells as a pathway to immunosuppression
Rieder, Sadiye Armacaoglu, et al.
Immunobiology. 2010 Aug, 215(8): 598-605 (abstract).
Liu, Wai M, et al.
Leukemia & Lymphoma. 2008, 49(9): 1800-1809 (abstract).
McKallip, Robert J, et al.
Molecular Pharmacology. 2006 Sep, 70(3): 897-908 (Full).
Jia, Wentao, et al.
Molecular Cancer Research. 2006 Aug, 4: 549 (Full).
Lombard, Catherine, et al.
Leukemia Research. 2005 Aug, 29(8): 915-922 (abstract).
Powles, Thomas, et al.
Blood. 2005 Feb 1, 105(3): 1214-1221 (Full).
Oka, Saori, et al.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2004 Nov, 76(5): 1002-1009 (Full).
Gallily, Ruth, et al.
Leukemia & Lymphoma. 2003, 44(10): 1767-1773 (abstract).
Targeting CB2 cannabinoid receptors as a novel therapy to treat malignant lymphoblastic disease
McKallip, Robert J, et al.
Blood. 2002 Jul 15, 100(2): 627-634 (Full).
Valk, Peter J M, et al.
Leukemia & Lymphoma. 1998, 32(1-2): 29-43 (abstract).
Galiegue, Sylvaine, et al.
European Journal of Biochemistry. 1995, 232: 54-61 (Full).
Cannabinoid-receptor expression in human leukocytes
Bouaboula, Monsif, et al.
European Journal of Biochemistry. 1993 Feb 22, 214(1): 173-180 (Full).
Cannabinoids induce incomplete maturation of cultured human leukemia cells
Murison, Gerald, et al.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 1987 Aug, 84: 5414-5418 (Full).
The Inhibition of DNA Synthesis by Cannabinoids
Carchman, RA, et al.
Cancer Research. 1976, 36: 95-100 (Full).
Effects of cannabinoids on L1210 murine leukemia. 1. Inhibition of DNA synthesis.
Tucker, AN, et al.
Research communications in chemical pathology and pharmacology. 1977 Aug, 4: 703-714 (abstract).
Antineoplastic activity of cannabinoids
Munson, AE, et al.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 1975 Sep, 55(3): 597-602 (abstract).
Lung
COX-2 and PPAR-? Confer Cannabidiol-Induced Apoptosis of Human Lung Cancer Cells
Ramer, Robert, et al.
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 2013, 12: 69-82 (Full).
Vidinsky, B, et al.
Folia Biologica. 2012, 58: 75-80 (Full).
Cannabidiol inhibits lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis via intercellular adhesion molecule-1
Ramer, Robert, et al.
The FASEB Journal. 2012 Apr, 26: 1535-1548 (Full).
Preet, Anju, et al.
Cancer Prevention Research. 2011 Jan, 4(1): 65-75 (Full).
Ramer, Robert, et al.
Pharmaceutical Research. 2010 Oct, 27(10): 2162-2174 (abstract).
Targeting the Endocannabinoid System for the Treatment of Cancer - A Practical View
Fowler, J, et al.
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. 2010 Jun, 10(8): 814-827 (abstract).
A Population-Based Case-Control Study of Marijuana Use and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Liang, Caihua, et al.
Cancer Prevention Research. 2009, 2: 759-768 (Full).
Endocannabinoid system modulation in cancer biology and therapy
Pisanti, Simona, et al.
Pharmacological Research. 2009 Aug, 60(2): 107-116 (abstract).
Preet, A, et al.
Oncogene. 2008, 27: 339-346 (Full).
Ramer, Robert, et al.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2008, 100: 59-69 (Full).
Athanasiou, Andriani, et al.
Biochemical and Biophysical Communications. 2007 Dec 7, 364(1): 131-137 (abstract).
The Association Between Marijuana Smoking and Lung Cancer
Mehra, Reena, et al.
JAMA Internal Medicine. 2006 Jul 10, 166(13): 1359-1367 (Full).
Methanandamide increases COX-2 expression and tumor growth in murine lung cancer
Gardner, Brian, et al.
The FASEB Journal. 2003 Nov, 17: 2157-2159 (Full).
Portella, Giuseppe, et al.
The FASEB Journal. 2003 Sep, 17: 1771-1773 (Full).
Control of the cell survival/death decision by cannabinoids
Guzman, Manuel, et al.
Journal of Molecular Medicine. 2001 Jan, 78(11): 613-625 (abstract).
Zhu, Li X, et al.
The Journal of Immunology. 2000, 165: 373-380 (Full).
Effects of Marijuana on the Lung and its Defenses against Infection and Cancer
Tashkin, Donald P, et al.
School Psychology International. 1999 Feb, 20(1): 23-37 (abstract).
Anti-emetic efficacy and toxicity of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, in lung cancer chemotherapy.
Ahmedzai, S, et al.
British Journal of Cancer. 1983, 48: 657-663 (Full).
The Inhibition of DNA Synthesis by Cannabinoids
Carchman, RA, et al.
Cancer Research. 1976, 36: 95-100 (Full).
Lymphoma
Cannabinoid-associated cell death mechanisms in tumor models (Review)
Calvaruso, Giuseppe, et al.
International Journal of Oncology. 2012 May 14, 41(2): 407-413 (Full)
Gustafsson, Kristin, et al.
Molecular Cancer Research. 2009 Jul 7, 1086 (Full online article).
Gustafsson, Kristin, et al.
International Journal of Cancer. 2008 Sep 1, 123(5): 1025-1033 (Full).
Rayman, Nazik, et al.
Leukemia & Lymphoma. 2007, 48(7): 1389-1399 (abstract).
Gustafsson, Kristin, et al.
Molecular Pharmacology. 2006 Nov, 70(5): 1612-1620 (Full).
Cannabinoid receptor ligands mediate growth inhibition and cell death in mantle cell lymphoma
Flygare, Jenny, et al.
FEBS Letters. 2005 Dec 19, 579(30): 6885-6889 (Full).
Rayman, Nazik, et al.
The Journal of Immunology. 2004 Feb 15, 172(4): 2111-2117 (Full).
Islam, T.C., et al.
Leukemia. 2003, 17: 1880-1890 (Full).
Targeting CB2 cannabinoid receptors as a novel therapy to treat malignant lymphoblastic disease
McKallip, Robert J, et al.
Blood. 2002 Jul 15, 100(2): 627-634 (Full).
Prostate
Towards the use of non-psychoactive cannabinoids for prostate cancer
Pacher, Pal, et al.
British Journal of Pharmacology. 2013, 168: 76-78 (Full).
Nithipatikom, Kasem, et al.
Endocrinology. 2012 Jan, 153(1): 29-41 (Full).
Ramos, Juan A, et al.
Indian Journal of Urology. 2012 Mar, 28(1): 9-14 (Full).
Induction of Apoptosis by Cannabinoids in Prostate and Colon Cancer Cells Is Phosphatase Dependent
Sreevalasan, Sandeep, et al.
Anticancer Research: International Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment. 2011, 31: 3799-3808 (Full).
The endocannabinoid system in prostate cancer
Diaz-Laviada, Ines, et al.
Nature Reviews Urology. 2011 Oct, 8: 553-561 (abstract).
Browin, Iain, et al.
Carcinogenesis. 2010, 31(9): 1584-1591 (Full).
Fowler, Christopher, et al.
PLOS One. 2010 Dec, 5(12) (Full online article).
The cannabinoid R(+)methanandamide induces IL-6 secretion by prostate cancer PC3 cells
Olea-Herrero, Nuria, et al.
Journal of Immunotoxicology. 2009 Dec, 6(4): 249-256 (abstract).
Olea-Herrero, N, et al.
British Journal of Cancer. 2009, 101: 940-950 (Full).
Czifra, Gabriella, et al.
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. 2009 Apr, 135(4): 507-514 (abstract).
De Petrocellis, Luciano, et al.
The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2008, 325(3): 1007-1015 (Full).
Endsley, Michael P, et al.
International Journal of Cancer. 2007 Apr 18, 121(5): 984-991 (Full).
Sarfaraz, Sami, et al.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2006, 281: 39480-39491 (Full).
A Cannabinoid Quinone Inhibits Angiogenesis by Targeting Vascular Endothelial Cells
Kogan, Natalya, et al.
Molecular Pharmacology. 2006, 70: 51-59 (Full).
Cannabinoid Receptor as a Novel Target for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Sarfaraz, Sami, et al.
Cancer Research. 2005, 65: 1635-1641 (Full).
A new class of inhibitors of 2-arachidonoylglycerol hydrolysis and invasion of prostate cancer cells
Nithipatikom, Kasem, et al.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2005 Jul 15, 332(4): 1028-1033 (abstract).
2-Arachidonoylglycerol: A Novel Inhibitor of Androgen Independent Prostate Cancer Cell Invasion
Nithipatikom, Kasem, et al.
Cancer Research. 2004, 64: 8826-8830 (Full).
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Cannabinoids
Grotenhermen, Franjo, et al.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics. 2003 Apr, 42(4): 327-360 (abstract).
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