Several research teams working across 15 hospital locations in the UK are preparing to test the effectiveness of the cannabis spray Sativex at treating brain tumors.
The first-of-its-kind clinical trial will use this oral-based medication alongside traditional chemotherapy methods in order to treat patients living with glioblastoma — a recurrent form of cancer that aggressively targets the brain and spinal cord.
The collaboration involves the National Health Service Hospitals and the Brain Tumor Charity, which is funding the project. All teams will coordinate under the cancer research unit at Birmingham University.
If successful, Sativex will not only improve the quality of patients’ lives, but will potentially extend them significantly.
Methodology
The trial will involve 232 recruited patients from across the 15 hospitals, most of whom come from specialist cancer centers. Researchers will give two thirds of these patients a mixture of Sativex and temozolomide-based chemotherapy. The final third will be given the same chemotherapy, but will instead take a placebo oral spray. The temozolomide chemotherapy works synergistically with the cannabis spray.
The main compound, Sativex, is equal parts delta 9 THC and CBD. Delta 9 offers powerful psychoactive effects among its many active sensations, while the CBD mainly aims to help reduce pain, inflammation, and anxiety. Together the cannabinoid cocktail should work alongside the chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and slow the growth of new tumors.
Patients will be instructed to take up to 12 sprays per day, or as much as they can tolerate, of the Sativex spray. From there, each will undergo regular clinical assessments every four weeks, which includes blood tests and questionnaires. Researchers will also conduct MRI scans every eight weeks to monitor deeper brain and body activity.
Currently, Sativex is already used by patients with multiple sclerosis in order to reduce their symptoms of spasticity. It is one of three medications based around cannabis currently available and in use in England.
“We hope this trial could pave the way for a long-awaited new lifeline that could help offer glioblastoma patients precious extra months to live and make memories with their loved ones,” said Dr David Jenkinson, the Brain Tumour Charity’s interim chief executive.
Finding Solutions
The study explains glioblastoma is the most common form of cancer in the UK, affecting approximately 2,200 people in England each year. It is also one of the most difficult to treat. The extremely aggressive disease nearly always returns once diagnosed — even after a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Because of this, patients with glioblastoma typically live between 12 and 18 months.
The upcoming clinical trial is actually phase two of an earlier study that examined the safety of combining Sativex and temozolomide. That study involved 27 patients, and the promising results have made researchers optimistic moving forward.
On average, those taking Sativex lived a year longer than those using the placebo. The second phase will run for three years, and will greatly expand on the results of the first.
If successful, the trials will mark a major step forward for cannabis-related medical applications. It will also give hope to thousands of people around the world living with glioblastoma.
Writers will update this post throughout the study and at its conclusion.
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