UK Launches Clinical Trial on Cannabis-Based Treatment for Brain Tumors
The UK has launched a clinical trial to explore the effectiveness of cannabis-based Sativex in treating aggressive brain tumors, potentially offering new hope for glioblastoma patients
Key Points
- 1UK launches clinical trial on cannabis-based treatment for brain tumors
- 2Study aims to recruit over 230 glioblastoma patients across 14 NHS hospitals
- 3Trial funded by The Brain Tumour Charity with support from Tom Daley
- 4Previous research suggests nabiximols may extend life expectancy
- 5Potential breakthrough in brain cancer treatment if trial succeeds
A groundbreaking clinical trial exploring the potential of Sativex, a cannabis-based medication, in treating aggressive brain tumors has commenced in the UK. The trial, named ARISTOCRAT, marks a significant step in examining whether combining nabiximols with chemotherapy can extend the lives of patients with recurrent glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer
The study is being conducted at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, with researchers from the University of Leeds and Cancer Research UK's Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Birmingham leading the effort. The trial aims to enroll over 230 patients across 14 NHS hospitals in England, Scotland, and Wales by the end of 2023
The Brain Tumour Charity played a crucial role in funding the trial, raising £450,000 through a campaign supported by Olympic champion Tom Daley. The charity highlights the dire need for new treatments, as glioblastomas typically offer a survival time of less than 10 months post-recurrence, with limited therapeutic options currently available
Previous studies, including a Phase I trial in 2021, have shown that nabiximols can be tolerated alongside chemotherapy and may potentially extend life expectancy for glioblastoma patients. If successful, this Phase II trial could introduce nabiximols as the first new treatment for glioblastoma since temozolomide in 2007, offering hope to patients and families
Dr. David Jenkinson, Chief Scientific Officer at The Brain Tumour Charity, expressed optimism about the trial's potential to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. He emphasized the importance of continued research into cannabinoid-based therapies, which have shown promise in laboratory studies but lack substantial clinical evidence for brain tumor treatment
The trial will involve participants taking up to 12 sprays of Sativex daily, with regular monitoring through clinical assessments, blood tests, MRI scans, and quality of life questionnaires. The results could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies, potentially transforming the landscape of brain cancer treatment