The scientific community, especially those who have been fighting for years to establish a framework for studying the uses of cannabis in the medical field, are in luck. This trial aims to investigate whether the combination of cannabis-derived products and traditional chemotherapy treatment could prolong the lives of patients diagnosed with glioblastoma.
What is Glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma is a type of cancer that develops in the brain or spinal cord and typically has a rapid growth rate. Although this type of tumor can occur at any age, it is more prevalent in men and older individuals.
Symptoms of glioblastoma include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision and/or seizures
The treatment of glioblastoma typically includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, it is important to note that this type of tumor is invasive and recurrent, meaning it can reappear.
Therefore, it is crucial to research new methods for treating this type of cancer, as several studies suggest that certain cannabinoids may help inhibit the tumor’s growth.
Studies on the Treatment of Brain Tumors using Cannabis
In 2021, Phase I of this trial, led by Professor Susan Short, was published, demonstrating that adding an orally administered drug based on the cannabinoids THC and CBD, along with temozolomide (a chemotherapy medication), showed promising results.
In fact, researchers in this initial stage of the trial confirmed that the group of patients who received the cannabis-based medicine tolerated the treatment well. Additionally, and most importantly, one year later, the survival rate of this group was higher than that of the group that received the placebo.
This trial was conducted with a very small number of participants, only 27, so it cannot be considered conclusive. Therefore, the second phase, which will begin soon and will include a much larger group of patients, has been initiated.
Second Stage of the Study on Cannabinoids and Glioblastoma
To date, different in vitro studies suggest that cannabinoids could have effects on cancerous tumors, including glioblastoma. These studies have shown that this type of treatment could slow tumor growth and that its use, in conjunction with temozolomide, could be very effective.
Due to the success of the first phase of this trial, phase II has been launched, led by Dr. Susan Short from the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds in coordination with the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Birmingham.
Over 230 patients suffering from this type of cancer will be gathered, which, as explained by the trial’s leader, is one of the most challenging due to its recurrence.
With this new trial, the aim is to study whether specific cannabinoid-based drugs can indeed help people with glioblastoma live longer, using a much larger group of participants.
If the results are as positive as those from the previous phase, it is expected that this type of cannabinoid-based drug will be included in the treatment of this type of brain tumor.
However, it should be noted that this would not replace temozolomide treatment, a chemotherapy medication that has been used since 2007 to treat glioblastoma, but rather would be added as an adjunctive therapy.
Who Could Benefit from this New Clinical Trial with Cannabinoids?
This ambitious trial, which aims to gather more than two hundred patients, will help in the short term participants who voluntarily decide to be part of the scientific study.
On one hand, it is expected that individuals in the group receiving cannabinoid treatment will benefit from it, as everything suggests that the oral cannabis-derived medication could slow down or even halt the progression of brain tumors. Patients in the placebo group will benefit from the more thorough monitoring of their condition.
This trial will span three years, so definitive results will have to be awaited. However, it’s expected that these will be positive, and in the long term, it may be demonstrated that cannabis-derived medications are a useful tool for treating glioblastoma and can significantly improve and prolong the lives of patients.
If the results of this second phase of the trial are favorable, there is a possibility that researchers may expand the group to include newly diagnosed individuals with glioblastoma and other types of brain tumors.
Conclusions
This trial is a significant step for both the scientific community and patients. Cannabis compounds have shown great potential for the treatment of various diseases such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain, among others.
Much speculation has been made about the anti-tumor potential of cannabinoids; however, it remains a highly controversial topic due to the lack of scientific evidence. Currently, cannabis-derived medications are only prescribed to alleviate some of the side effects of cancer treatments, specifically nausea and other discomforts associated with chemotherapy.
However, if this trial yields positive results, we would be looking at the possibility of an effective treatment for thousands of patients suffering from this disease worldwide.
Providing patients with access to a safe, dosed, and controlled treatment by a specialized professional should be a priority. Therefore, we hope that progress continues in this direction and that this becomes a reality in the future.
What do you think of this post? Have you had any experiences where cannabis has served you medicinally? Leave your comment below and share your opinion with the community!
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