Medical cannabis researchers in Australia receive a $1.5 million boost to explore the use of medical cannabis in preventing common symptoms of treatment in advanced cancer.
After securing the Federal Governmental funding, researchers led by Dr Hannah Wardill at the University of Adelaide will be able to run the CANCAN trial, a large clinical study that aims to guide clinical practice.
Dr Wardill said: “Cancer therapies are highly toxic and cause a constellation of physical and psychosocial symptoms that negatively impact the quality of life, dose intensity and survival.
“The CANCAN trial will show that targeting gut distress, due to mucosal injury, with medical cannabis will improve patient wellbeing and maintenance of intended dosing.
“Recent attention has centred on the use of medicinal cannabis for the management of these symptoms.
“While largely driven by patients and their advocates, the use of cannabis in this context has challenged medical professionals who feel ill-equipped to guide their patients due to the lack of empirical evidence.
“The CANCAN trial will show that targeting gut distress, due to mucosal injury, with medical cannabis will improve patient wellbeing and maintenance of intended dosing.
“It’s also hoped the personalised CBD and THC preparation will prevent and manage clusters of related side effects of cancer therapy including detrimental effects to sleep, appetite, mood, pain and fatigue.”
According to the announcement, the cannabis medicine to be used in the study will be provided by LeafCann Group Pty Ltd, an Adelaide-based, federally licensed, medicinal cannabis company.
