A British company, GW Pharmaceuticals, has just launched a phase III clinical trial to examine the effectiveness of a cannabis-based spray for patients with uncontrollable pain from advanced cancer. The cannabis-based medicine is being administered as a sublingual (under-the-tongue) treatment.
The company has enrolled over 100 patients who have terminal cancer and are experiencing pain that is not responding adequately to current therapy. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study will take place at 20 cancer centers around the U.K.
"Cannabis-based medicine has the potential to provide considerable advantages over current medications to cancer patients," said Geoffrey Guy, the chairman of GW Pharmaceutical, in announcing the launch of the trial. "The potential market is very significant since approximately 40 percent of cancer sufferers at present have unmet needs in pain suppression." GW is already conducting a similar phase III trial on patients with multiple sclerosis.
Marijuana is an herb that grows in many places around the world. It is also called hemp or cannabis; its scientific name is Cannabis sativa. Historically, it has had many uses in different cultures, including reducing pain and increasing appetite. More recently, it has been found to lower pressure within the eye to help ease glaucoma. It has also been shown to prevent vomiting in patients taking chemotherapy and to reduce muscle spasms in people with multiple sclerosis.
However, smoking marijuana causes most of the same health problems as smoking tobacco. Smoked or eaten marijuana can disrupt balance, physical coordination and visual perception. Some users also develop a tolerance to marijuana, meaning they need higher and higher doses to get the same effect.
"We remain confident of being able to present data to the U.K. regulatory authorities in 2003," said Guy, "and-subject to approval-to bring the first cannabis-based prescription medicine to market in early 2004."
(Additional note: Marinol in oral tablet form is already available in the US)
SOURCE:
GW Pharmaceuticals (http://www.gwpharm.com)
