Do cannabis-based medicinal extracts have general or specific effects on symptoms in multiple sclerosis? A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 160 patients.

Abstract

“The objective was to determine whether a cannabis-based medicinal extract (CBME) benefits a range of symptoms due to multiple sclerosis (MS). A parallel group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was undertaken in three centres, recruiting 160 outpatients with MS experiencing significant problems from at least one of the following: spasticity, spasms, bladder problems, tremor or pain. The interventions were oromucosal sprays of matched placebo, or whole plant CBME containing equal amounts of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) at a dose of 2.5-120 mg of each daily, in divided doses. The primary outcome measure was a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for each patient’s most troublesome symptom. Additional measures included VAS scores of other symptoms, and measures of disability, cognition, mood, sleep and fatigue. Following CBME the primary symptom score reduced from mean (SE) 74.36 (11.1) to 48.89 (22.0) following CBME and from 74.31 (12.5) to 54.79 (26.3) following placebo [ns]. Spasticity VAS scores were significantly reduced by CBME (Sativex) in comparison with placebo (P =0.001). There were no significant adverse effects on cognition or mood and intoxication was generally mild.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15327042

Recent developments in the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids.

Abstract

“OBJECTIVE:

To examine the recent evidence that marijuana and other cannabinoids have therapeutic potential.

METHODS:

Literature published since 1997 was searched using the following terms: cannabinoid, marijuana, THC, analgesia, cachexia, glaucoma, movement, multiple sclerosis, neurological, pain, Parkinson, trial, vomiting. Qualifying clinical studies were randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. Selected open-label studies and surveys are also discussed.

RESULTS:

A total of 15 independent, qualifying clinical trials were identified, of which only three had more than 100 patients each. Two large trials found that cannabinoids were significantly better than placebo in managing spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Patients self-reported greater sense of motor improvement in multiple sclerosis than could be confirmed objectively. In smaller qualifying trials, cannabinoids produced significant objective improvement of tics in Tourette’s disease, and neuropathic pain. A new, non-psychotropic cannabinoid also has analgesic activity in neuropathic pain. No significant improvement was found in levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s Disease or post-operative pain. No difference from active placebo was found for management of cachexia in a large trial. Some immune system parameters changed in HIV-1 and multiple sclerosis patients treated with cannabinoids, but the clinical significance is unknown. Quality of life assessments were made in only three of 15 qualifying clinical trials.

CONCLUSION:

Cannabinoids may be useful for conditions that currently lack effective treatment, such as spasticity, tics and neuropathic pain. New delivery systems for cannabinoids and cannabis-based medicinal extracts, as well as new cannabinoid derivatives expand the options for cannabinoid therapy. More well-controlled, large clinical tests are needed, especially with active placebo.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15895873

Cannabis Science Reports Second Cancer Patient Receives Clean Biopsy Report Confirming the Biopsy is Free of Cancer Cells

“Cannabis Science, Inc. a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana) products is happy to report that patient #2, who had a Squamous cell carcinoma on her arm, has received her biopsy report. It confirms what was visually apparent from the photo-documentation on our website. Her biopsy was free of cancer cells and she will not need any surgical procedure. Nevertheless, the patient will continue with her self-administered topical application of extracts for a while longer to minimize any chance of any surviving cancer cells in areas beyond what was biopsied.”

More: http://www.tradershuddle.com/20120404422008/Press-Releases/cannabis-science-reports-second-cancer-patient-receives-clean-biopsy-report-confirming-the-biopsy-is-free-of-cancer-cells.html

Cannabis Science Updates Second Medical Cannabis Cancer Patient Suffering from Squamous Cell Carcinoma Photo-documents Cannabis Extracts Killing Cancerous Tumor

“Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCBB: CBIS) a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana) products, is very pleased to announce that the second patient suffering from basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) has self-administered cannabis extracts that appear to have eradicated the cancer.”

“Currently it appears that the aforementioned patient will be able to avoid any surgical procedures such as, standard surgical excision (Mohs Surgery), and other various types of treatment for skin cancer, like chemotherapy, radiation, and cryosurgery, by using the cannabis extracts…”

More: http://www.drugs.com/clinical_trials/cannabis-science-updates-second-medical-cannabis-cancer-patient-suffering-squamous-cell-carcinoma-12967.html

Cannabis Science Reports Apparent Success For 3rd Self-Medicated Cancer Patient

“Cannabis Science, Inc., a pioneering US biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products, is happy to report an additional, apparently successful, self-medicated cannabis treatment for a cancer patient.

This case is very graphic in nature. One of the patient’s physicians said it was the worst case of squamous cell carcinoma cancer he had ever seen, while another refused to continue tending to the patient. 

While this patient’s self-administered treatment with cannabis extracts is still in progress, the results after just two weeks of treatment are dramatic. Some of the tumors have disappeared and others have significantly shrunk to a fraction of their original size. Simultaneously, the patient has had a significant decrease in pain, improved sleeping (the 1st full night of sleep in 3 years), as well as relief from the symptoms of multiple sclerosis that the patient also suffers from. This self-treatment is a work in progress.”

More: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cannabis-science-reports-apparent-success-for-3rd-self-medicated-cancer-patient-137111868.html

Cannabis Science Updates Cancer Patient Progress As It Receives Verbal Confirmation By A Physician That Both Sites Of The Former Lesions Are Free Of Cancer Cells; Official Physician Documentation To Follow

“Cannabis Science, Inc. a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana derivative) products, is pleased to announce that we have now received verbal confirmation that the sites of the former cancerous lesions are free of cancer cells and we are now awaiting official Physician documentation of the patient’s history and biopsy reports.

Dr. Robert J. Melamede, the CEO and President of Cannabis Science Inc., stated, “The photographic documentation in our last press release, demonstrated that cannabis extracts appeared to be effective against what seems to be the patient’s third incidence of basal cell carcinoma. For accuracy, it should be noted that a before treatment biopsy of the lesion on the nose was not been performed. It is obvious that there was a lesion-centered response to the application of the cannabis extract. This patient had a previous surgically removed lesion, as well as a biopsied basal cell carcinoma on the right cheek. The lesion on the cheek was also self-treated and resolved with cannabis extracts over a half year ago. This deeper cheek lesion did not visually respond like the lesion on the nose, hence there is no photographic record.”

Cannabis Science is committed to making cannabis-based medicines available to the public as rapidly as possible. The Company is taking multiple approaches to accomplishing this aim in the United States. The science of cannabinoids has exploded over the past decade, laying the scientific foundation for the many medicinal uses of this unique plant. Cannabinoids are a class of biologically active compounds produced by all vertebrates, the Cannabis plant, and more recently patentable synthetic compounds produced by chemists. In fact, modern peer-reviewed science supports the many historical uses that were discovered over thousands of years of medicinal use by herbalists.”

More: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110309006171/en/Cannabis-Science-Updates-Cancer-Patient-Progress-Receives