A cannabis - base mouth spray is set to be test as a potential discussion for an aggressive form of brain tumour calledglioblastoma , marking the first - ever major human visitation involving aesculapian cannabis as a cancer therapy . Known asSativex , the spray is already approved for economic consumption as a discussion for muscle muscle spasm in patient role with multiple induration , and pre - clinical investigation have indicated that it is well tolerated by spongioblastoma patients .
Much has been indite about the possibleanti - cancer propertiesof sealed cannabinoids , with several subject field on cultured cells and animals indicating that some of the compounds find in marijuana may prevent the development of neoplasm . However , without data from human trials , it is impossible to say whether or not aesculapian cannabis really can help in the fight against cancer .
conduct by Professor Susan Short from the University of Leeds , the raw study will involve 232 glioblastoma affected role from 15 hospital in the UK , two - thirds of whom will welcome Sativex in increase to a chemotherapy drug cry temozolomide , while the remaining third will be given a placebo in billet of the marihuana - based medicinal drug .
Glioblastoma is the most common manakin of mind neoplasm , and also the most aggressive . Such tumors tend to grow very quickly and propagate to many parts of the brain , and oftentimes resort even after treatment . On average , patients hold up for less than 18 months following their initial diagnosis .
In astatement , Professor Short explained that “ Glioblastoma brain tumors have been shown to have receptors to cannabinoids on their electric cell surface , and science lab studies on glioblastoma cells have present these drugs may slow up tumor growth and exploit in particular well when used with temozolomide . ”
Indeed , a 2011 study found that the cannabinoidstetrahydrocannabinol ( THC)andcannabidiol ( CBD)dramaticallyinhibit the maturation of gliomasin petri bag and in alive mice , when dish out in compounding with temozolomide . significantly , tumor cells that could not be treat by the chemotherapy drug alone were defeated when these two cannabinoids were added to the equivalence .
make that Sativex arrest both THC and CBD in equal denseness , researchers are now keen to try out the product on human subjects . Earlier this class , Short and her colleague published the effect of aPhase I trialinvolving 27 patients , which tested the safety of this discourse combination in glioblastoma patients . While this small - graduated table written report was not designed to appraise the efficaciousness of these drugs , the author noted that 83 per centum of participants who welcome Sativex were still alert after one year , liken to 44 percent of those who were render a placebo .
Naturally , no firm conclusion can be drawn from such a small investigation , which is why the Phase II test is require . enlisting of player is due to begin in early 2022 , open to sufficient cash in hand being lift . The Brain Tumour Charity , which is bankrolling the written report , is currently seeking donations as it attempts to secure the £ 450,000 needed to check the undertaking gets off the undercoat .
Once the trial start , participants will be asked to ego - administer up to 12 sprayer of Sativex per day , with the study arrange to last for a totality of three years .
“ The discourse of glioblastomas remain super thought-provoking , ” said Short . “ Having recently show that a specific cannabinoid combination given by oral atomizer could be safely added to temozolomide chemotherapy , we ’re really excited to build on these findings to assess whether this drug could help spongioblastoma patients live longer in a major randomized test . ”
