Tag Archives: medical cannabis

Medical Cannabis and the Hallmarks of Cancer: A Critical Narrative Review

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A 2026 critical narrative review examines medical cannabis through one of the most important frameworks in cancer biology: the hallmarks of cancer. Rather than looking only at symptom relief, the authors reviewed evidence for how cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, may interact with biological processes that allow cancer to develop, survive, grow and spread.

The review discusses cannabinoid effects involving cancer-cell proliferation, programmed cell death, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, tumor metabolism, immune responses and the tumor microenvironment. It also examines major cancer-related signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, RAS/RAF/ERK, mTOR, EGFR, Wnt/β-catenin and p53.

Taken together, the research shows that cannabinoids can influence multiple hallmarks of cancer through several interconnected mechanisms. The authors describe the evidence as showing biologically plausible antitumor activity and highlight cannabinoids as an important area for continued cancer research and development.

“Cancer remains a highly complex and heterogeneous disease, causing major morbidity and mortality worldwide despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. The hallmarks of cancer enlighten the biological mechanisms supporting tumourigenesis and malignant evolution, while helping to identify potential therapeutic targets.

Medical cannabis has mostly been used in oncology for supportive care, but increasing preclinical evidence suggests interference with cancer-related signalling pathways.

This narrative review summarizes the current evidence on cannabinoids, in particular the phytocannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), framing their prospective anticancer effects in the hallmarks of cancer.

Preclinical studies imply that CBD exerts antiproliferative effects by modulating oncogenic signalling pathways, including EGFR, PI3K/AKT, RAS/RAF/ERK, mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin, while also influencing tumour suppressor pathways involving p53, p21 and p27, causing cell cycle arrest. CBD has additionally been shown to promote programmed cell death via mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy, altering cancer metabolism as well. Furthermore, CBD has shown anti-invasive and antiangiogenic properties and also appears to modulate immune responses and interactions with the tumour microenvironment, including emerging links with the microbiome.

Overall, cannabinoids exhibit biologically plausible antitumour activity across multiple cancer hallmarks and may present promising candidates for combination therapeutic strategies.

Nonetheless, the current evidence remains predominantly preclinical, and robust translational studies and clinical trials are needed to clarify their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, determine their clinical efficacy and safety while assessing their potential integration into multimodal cancer treatment.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42737454/

“Cannabinoids have demonstrated biologically plausible promising antitumour effects by interacting with several cancer hallmarks, including tumour angiogenesis, resistance to programmed cell death, metastasis and invasion, as well as immune evasion and phenotypic plasticity.”

“Cannabinoids can interfere with several biological mechanisms involved in cancer development and progression and even though their role in oncology remains mostly supportive with predominance in symptom control, preclinical studies increasingly suggest that cannabis can also influence tumour biology.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/17/7549

Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol ameliorates murine autoimmune hepatitis and is associated with epigenetic modulation of immune responses

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A new 2026 study published in International Immunopharmacology found that delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) significantly reduced autoimmune hepatitis in mice while altering the immune responses responsible for liver inflammation. Researchers found that Δ8-THC reduced inflammatory immune cells and helped preserve immune cells involved in protecting the liver.

The researchers also uncovered a possible mechanism. Δ8-THC increased two microRNAs, miR-100-5p and miR-199a-3p, which suppressed mTOR signaling and shifted CD4+ T-cell development away from inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells and toward regulatory T cells that help control excessive immune activity.

The authors concluded that Δ8-THC showed both hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity and highlighted its potential therapeutic value for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The study adds new evidence that cannabinoids may influence disease not only by reducing inflammation, but by changing the molecular and epigenetic pathways that regulate immune responses.

“Aim of the study: Cannabinoids have gained attention for their ability to modulate immune responses and suppress inflammation. However, the effect of Δ8-THC, a minor cannabinoid found in Cannabis, has not been explored in autoimmune hepatitis. To address knowledge gap, the present study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective and immunoregulatory properties of Δ8-THC in experimental autoimmune hepatitis and to identify molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying its immunoregulatory effects.

Methods: miRNA sequencing and flow cytometric analysis were performed using hepatic immune cells from female C57BL/6 mice treated with ConA (12.5 mg/kg, i.v.) and Δ8-THC (20 mg/kg, i.p.). Differential miRNA expressions were analyzed using the edgeR, and miRNA targets were predicted using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Target gene expression was validated by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Functional assays including miRNA mimic/inhibitor transfection and CD4+ T-cell differentiation were performed to validate target gene regulation by miRNAs and its role in CD4+ T-cell differentiation.

Results: Δ8-THC markedly suppressed ConA-induced autoimmune hepatitis by restoring immune homeostasis within the liver through suppression of inflammatory monocytes, neutrophils, and natural killer cells, and preservation of tolerogenic Kupffer cells. In addition, Δ8-THC reshaped the hepatic lymphoid compartment, diminishing inflammatory CD4+ T-cell responses while favoring regulatory T-cell expansion. These effects were associated with the preservation of miR-100-5p and miR-199a-3p expression in the liver, whereas both miRNAs were markedly downregulated following ConA treatment. mTOR, a central regulator of T-cell differentiation, was identified as a target of these miRNAs. Consistent with these findings, Δ8-THC reduced mTOR expression and upregulated hepatoprotective miRNAs in both in vivo and in vitro models. Functional analyses with miRNA overexpression and inhibition approaches verified the direct regulation of mTOR by these miRNAs in T cells and RAW 264.7 cells. In naïve CD4+ T cells, miRNA gain- and loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that miR-100-5p/miR-199a-3p-mediated suppression of mTOR promotes regulatory T-cell differentiation while limiting Th1 and Th17 polarization.

Conclusion: Our results identify Δ8-THC as a promising hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory compound that ameliorates ConA-induced autoimmune hepatitis by influencing CD4+ T-cell differentiation potentially through the miR-100-5p/miR-199a-3p-mTOR axis, highlighting its potential therapeutic value in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42753324

“In conclusion, our findings suggest that Δ8-THC can mitigate ConA-induced hepatitis, potentially through epigenetic regulation involving microRNAs. Specifically, Δ8-THC improved liver function and reduced systemic and intrahepatic inflammation in ConA-exposed mice. These effects were associated with increased expression of miR-100-5p and miR-199a-3p in the liver, suggesting that these miRNAs may regulate mTOR signaling and contribute to the suppression of proinflammatory responses and promotion of anti-inflammatory pathways. Functional studies supported the involvement of these miRNAs in the regulation of mTOR signaling, CD4+ T-cell differentiation, and inflammatory responses.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567576926012518?via%3Dihub

Ten-year outcomes of medical cannabis for chronic low back pain: opioid reduction, pain relief, and functional improvement in 1,000 patients

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A 2026 study published in the European Spine Journal followed 1,000 patients with chronic low back pain who had been using opioids for at least a year before beginning medical cannabis treatment. Researchers tracked changes in opioid use, pain, disability, and other medications over as long as 10 years.

Among the 638 patients who completed the full 10-year follow-up, average opioid use fell by 89.8%, while pain scores dropped by 84.2%. More than 91% of patients achieved at least a 50% reduction in opioid use, and 96.6% achieved at least a 30% reduction in pain. Disability scores also improved substantially over the study period.

The reductions were not limited to opioids. Use of benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, antidepressants, and other pain medications also declined. With a decade of follow-up, this study provides unusually long-term evidence that medical cannabis may play an important role in reducing pain, improving function, and decreasing dependence on multiple medications in people living with chronic low back pain.

“Purpose: To evaluate 10-year outcomes of medical cannabis therapy on opioid use, pain intensity, functional disability, concomitant medication use, and adverse events in cannabis-naïve chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients, with particular attention to clinically meaningful outcomes defined by established minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds.

Methods: Single-center longitudinal observational study of 1,000 consecutive cannabis-naïve CLBP patients from a registry database (2015-2024), reported following STROBE guidelines.

Primary outcome: morphine milligram equivalents (MMEQ).

Secondary outcomes: Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability, cannabis dosing patterns, adverse events, and concomitant medication use. Pre-specified MCID thresholds: ≥50% MMEQ reduction, ≥ 30% NRS reduction, ≥ 10-point ODI improvement. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests for completers and linear mixed-effects models for sensitivity analyses.

Results: Of 1,000 enrolled patients, 638 (63.8%) completed 10-year follow-up. Among completers, MMEQ decreased from 62.8 ± 35.7 to 6.4 ± 7.1 mg/day (- 89.8%, p < 0.001); NRS from 8.71 ± 1.23 to 1.37 ± 1.71 (- 84.2%, p < 0.001); ODI from 52.9 ± 11.9% to 36.8 ± 14.9% (16.1-point reduction, – 30.4%, p < 0.001). MCID responders: 91.2% for MMEQ, 96.6% for NRS, 62.1% for ODI. Substantial polypharmacy reductions occurred: tramadol/tapentadol – 84.0% points (pp), benzodiazepines – 73.5 pp, SSRIs – 71.9 pp, gabapentinoids – 30.7 pp. True tolerability adverse events occurred in 11.4% of visits; serious psychiatric events in 0.02%.

Conclusions: In this uncontrolled observational study, medical cannabis therapy was associated with reductions in opioid use, pain intensity, and functional disability over 10 years, accompanied by polypharmacy reduction and acceptable tolerability. Effect sizes substantially exceeded RCT benchmarks (e.g., – 0.6 NRS difference vs. placebo in a recent phase 3 trial), suggesting observational biases contribute to these findings. These hypothesis-generating data warrant validation in randomized controlled trials.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42734834

“In this 10-year single-arm observational study, medical cannabis therapy was associated with reductions in opioid use (− 89.8%), pain intensity (− 84.2%), and functional disability (− 30.4%), with high proportions of patients achieving pre-specified MCID thresholds. Substantial polypharmacy reductions and acceptable tolerability were observed.”

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00586-026-10290-y

UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An Updated Analysis of Inflammatory Arthritis

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A new analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry reports sustained improvements in pain, sleep, and health-related quality of life among patients with inflammatory arthritis who were prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products.

The study followed 192 patients for up to 24 months. Improvements were reported across multiple pain measures at every follow-up point, including pain severity, pain interference, and overall pain scores. Sleep quality and general quality of life also improved compared with baseline.

Notably, many patients were prescribed THC-containing products, including dried cannabis flower and oils. The findings add long-term real-world evidence that prescribed cannabis medicines may help some people living with inflammatory arthritis.

“Aim: Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are an emerging therapeutic option for pain in inflammatory arthritis, yet clinical evidence remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate changes in pain-specific and general health-related outcomes in patients with inflammatory arthritis treated with CBMPs and to characterize the safety profile by examining the incidence and nature of adverse events.

Methods: Patients treated with CBMPs for inflammatory arthritis-associated pain for ⩾24 months were identified from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Primary outcomes included changes in patient-reported measures: Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Pain Visual Analogue Scale (Pain VAS), Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2), EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Single-Item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months vs baseline. Adverse events were recorded and analysed. Statistical significance was set at P < .050.

Results: A total of 192 patients met inclusion criteria. The CBMP initiation was associated with improvements in BPI Interference, BPI Severity, Pain VAS, SF-MPQ-2, SQS, and EQ-5D-5L index values at all follow-up time points (P < .010) and in GAD-7 scores up to 3 months (P < .001). Twenty-seven patients (14.06%) reported 296 adverse events: 126 (42.57%) mild, 132 (44.59%) moderate, and 38 (12.84%) severe. No life-threatening events occurred.

Conclusion: The CBMP therapy was associated with reductions in pain and improvements in health-related quality of life among individuals with inflammatory arthritis. Although causality cannot be inferred from this observational design, these findings support the need for randomized controlled trials to determine the efficacy of CBMPs for inflammatory arthritis-related pain.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42724108

“Overall, results of this study demonstrate reductions in pain severity and improvements in HRQoL for patients receiving CBMP treatment for chronic pain linked to inflammatory arthritis over a period of 24 months of follow-up. The CBMPs were generally well-tolerated, although the risk of AE and individual responses should be considered before commencing CBMP treatment.”

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/11795441261480709

The Endocannabinoid System is No Longer the Limiting Factor: Why Policy and Stigma Continue to Delay Cannabinoid-Based Medicine

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The science of the endocannabinoid system has advanced dramatically, but cannabinoid-based medicine is still being held back by forces outside the laboratory. This new Clinical Therapeutics commentary argues that the biological understanding of the endocannabinoid system is no longer the main limiting factor. The larger barriers are now policy, regulation, funding, access, and stigma.

According to the authors, restrictive and fragmented rules make cannabinoid research harder to conduct, while limited access to standardized products complicates rigorous clinical trials. At the same time, stigma within medicine can discourage research, education, prescribing, and open discussion with patients.

The message is simple: the remaining evidence gaps are not purely scientific. They are also structural. If cannabinoid-based medicine is going to move forward, policy and medical culture will have to catch up with what researchers already understand about the endocannabinoid system.

“Purpose: To examine whether the persistent gap between the extensive mechanistic knowledge of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and the limited number of high-quality randomized clinical trials of cannabinoid-based therapies primarily reflects scientific uncertainty or, instead, structural regulatory, economic, and social barriers.

Methods: This commentary critically synthesizes historical, regulatory, and contemporary evidence on cannabinoid research, integrating data from regulatory documents, international policy reports, clinical and observational studies, systematic reviews, and qualitative investigations. Particular emphasis is placed on barriers affecting access to standardized products, conduct of randomized clinical trials, public funding, product standardization, and healthcare professionals’ perceptions.

Findings: Although the ECS has been extensively characterized for more than three decades and cannabinoids demonstrate plausible pharmacological mechanisms across multiple therapeutic areas, clinical translation remains disproportionately limited. Persistent regulatory restrictions, inherited from prohibition policies, continue to delay access to standardized research material, increase the cost and complexity of clinical trials, and shift evidence generation toward observational designs. Regulatory fragmentation further compromises product standardization and study reproducibility, whereas persistent social and professional stigma reduces research activity, medical education, prescribing confidence, and patient disclosure, perpetuating a self-reinforcing cycle between limited evidence generation and clinical distrust.

Implications: The principal obstacle to cannabinoid-based medicine is no longer the biological understanding of the ECS but the structural environment surrounding cannabinoid research. Progress toward evidence-based clinical implementation will depend on regulatory harmonization, greater public investment in randomized clinical research, standardized pharmaceutical-quality products, and educational initiatives capable of reducing stigma among healthcare professionals. Recognizing the structural rather than scientific origin of the evidence gap is essential for informing future research priorities, editorial policies, and international regulatory strategies.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42728140

“The ECS is no longer the main obstacle to cannabinoid therapeutics. Stigma and regulation continue to delay clinical translation. Standardized clinical research requires international regulatory reform. Medical education is crucial for evidence-based cannabinoid therapies.”

https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(26)00317-6/fulltext

Phytocannabinoids and bone health

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A 2026 review published in Current Osteoporosis Reports examines growing evidence that phytocannabinoids may support bone health by influencing bone remodeling, inflammation, fracture healing, and bone loss.

The review highlights the endocannabinoid system as an important regulator of bone metabolism. Research involving CBD and THC shows that cannabinoids can affect osteoblasts, which build bone, and osteoclasts, which break bone down.

The review also discusses early human research showing that medical cannabis products containing THC and CBD reduced a blood marker associated with bone resorption. Together, the findings point to cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system as promising areas for further bone-health research.

“Purpose of the review: Phytocannabinoids have received attention for their therapeutic properties, however, it is unclear how they affect bone homeostasis. Additionally, increased use of cannabis and hemp-derived products have raised questions about their impact on musculoskeletal health. This review summarizes recent studies that investigate the impact of phytocannabinoids on bone.

Recent findings: The most well studied phytocannabinoid in relation to bone health is cannabidiol (CBD). In vitro data suggests CBD inhibits osteoclasts and promotes osteoblast activity. Rodent studies have demonstrated CBD may be useful for managing bone loss associated with osteoporosis and periodontitis, as well as reducing fracture pain and promoting healing. Recent studies suggest other phytocannabinoid isolates and extracts containing multiple phytocannabinoids have varying effects on bone. The first clinical study in this area reported that a medical cannabis product reduced markers of bone turnover in healthy adults. Cannabinoids bind to receptors in the endocannabinoid system which is involved in regulation of bone metabolism. Phytocannabinoids may improve bone health; however, additional work is required to determine factors such as the optimal dose, timing, and route of administration.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42709344

“Due to their diverse pharmacological properties, phytocannabinoids may have therapeutic value for bone-related disorders.”

 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11914-026-00982-1

A chronic low dose of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (3 mg / kg / 21 d) reorganizes the disturbed wound healing process and accelerates wound closure in old female mice

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A chronic low dose of Δ9-THC accelerated wound closure in old female mice and helped reorganize an age-disrupted healing process. The biggest improvement occurred during the inflammatory phase, when aged wounds normally heal more slowly and remain inflamed longer.

THC changed the timing and amount of immune-cell activity in the wound, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and significantly increased infiltration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) involved in tissue repair. The treatment did not increase growth-factor release, suggesting the benefit came mainly from better coordination of inflammation and cell migration.

The researchers concluded that THC improved wound healing by restoring a more normal sequence of immune-cell infiltration and cytokine release. The findings suggest that stimulating the aging endocannabinoid system may help support skin regeneration and tissue repair in older organisms.

“Wound healing in old mice is characterized by disturbed tissue homeostasis, manifested by delayed immune cell infiltration and reduced growth factor secretion, leading to a delayed onset and prolonged duration of the inflammatory phase.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an important regulator of tissue homeostasis and cell migration and is also considered to be subject to aging processes, which may contribute to observable aging phenomena. Therefore, stimulating the aged ECS could represent a therapeutic option to support tissue regeneration in aging.

Female old mice received a low-dose of medical THC daily for 3 weeks, before four excisional full skin wounds were created. At day 1, 3 and 7 post-surgery, the wound closure rate was analyzed and wound samples were examined immunohistochemically for the numbers of granulocytes, M1-macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and regenerative growth factors were determined by ELISA.

Administration of THC improved the wound healing rate of old mice between day 1 and 7, which was associated with an altered timing and quantity of infiltrating immune cells and decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines in wound tissue on days 1 and 3 post-injury.

THC treatment significantly increased MSC infiltration but had no effect on the growth factor release.

The present study confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of THC in vivo.

The THC-treatment improved wound healing in old mice by coordinating the temporal sequence of immune cell infiltration and cytokine release. Thus, restoration of ECS signaling could be an effective strategy to support age-related skin regeneration.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40653209/

“A chronic low dose of THC accelerates the wound closure rate during the inflammatory phase in old mice.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556525001615?via%3Dihub

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∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Increases Growth Factor Release by Cultured Adipose Stem Cells and Adipose Tissue in vivo

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Δ9-THC increased the release of growth factors from cultured adipose-derived stem cells and from adipose tissue in vivo. These growth factors are involved in processes such as cell survival, tissue repair, blood-vessel formation, and regeneration.

The researchers found that THC changed the secretory activity of adipose stem cells rather than simply affecting their growth. This suggests that THC may influence how these cells communicate with surrounding tissue and support repair through the factors they release.

The findings point to a potential role for THC in regenerative signaling and tissue-healing biology, particularly through adipose-derived stem cells and the local tissue environment. The study adds another dimension to cannabinoid research by showing that THC can affect not just mature cells, but also the reparative signals produced by stem-cell populations.

“Background: Because of its biocompatibility and its soft and dynamic nature, the grafting of adipose tissue is regarded an ideal technique for soft-tissue repair. The adipose stem cells (ASCs) contribute significantly to the regenerative potential of adipose tissue, because they can differentiate into adipocytes and release growth factors for tissue repair and neovascularization to facilitate tissue survival. The present study tested the effect of administering a chronic low dose of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on these regenerative properties, in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Human ASCs were exposed to increasing concentrations of THC. Resazurin conversion was applied to investigate the effect on metabolic activity, cell number was assessed by crystal violet staining, tri-linear differentiation was evaluated by specific colorimetric approaches, and the release of growth factors was analyzed by ELISA. Two groups of mice were treated daily either with a low dose of THC (3 mg/kg) or a vehicle solution. After 3 weeks, adipose tissue was obtained from excised fat deposits, homogenized and tested for growth factor contents.

Results: THC decreased ASC proliferation but increased metabolic activity as well as adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. A low concentration of THC (1 µM) enhanced the growth factor release by ASCs. The concentration of these cytokines was also increased in adipose tissue of mice treated with THC.

Conlusion: Our results indicate that chronic activation of the endocannabinoid system promoted differentiation and growth factor release of ASCs, which could be of specific value for enhancing the regenerative potential of adipose tissue.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39825991/

“Our findings may offer a new approach for improved application of adipose tissue in regenerative medicine.”

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13770-024-00692-8

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Δ 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol alleviates hyperalgesia in a humanized mouse model of sickle cell disease

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Δ9-THC reduced pain hypersensitivity in a humanized mouse model of sickle cell disease. In mice expressing more than 99% human sickle hemoglobin, acute THC treatment dose-dependently reduced both mechanical and cold hypersensitivity and also produced substantial antinociceptive effects in a tail-flick pain test.

At 1 mg/kg, THC reduced pain sensitivity without altering anxiety-like behavior or long-term memory. With repeated treatment, THC continued to provide sustained relief from mechanical hypersensitivity, although tolerance developed to its effects on cold hypersensitivity.

The researchers concluded that THC may represent a potential option for managing chronic pain associated with sickle cell disease. These findings are especially notable because sickle cell pain is often severe and difficult to control, while current treatment frequently depends on opioid analgesics.

“People with sickle cell disease (SCD) often experience chronic pain as well as unpredictable episodes of acute pain, which significantly affect their quality of life and life expectancy. Current treatment strategies for SCD-associated pain primarily rely on opioid analgesics, which have limited efficacy and cause serious adverse effects.

Cannabis has emerged as a potential alternative, yet its efficacy remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated the antinociceptive effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabis’ intoxicating constituent, in male HbSS mice, which express >99% human sickle hemoglobin, and male HbAA mice, which express normal human hemoglobin A, as a control.

Acute THC administration (0.1-3 mg-kg-1, intraperitoneal, i.p.) dose-dependently reduced mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in HbSS, but not HbAA mice. In the tail-flick assay, THC (1 and 3 mg-kg-1, i.p.) produced substantial antinociceptive effects in HbSS mice. By contrast, THC (1 mg-kg-1, i.p.) did not alter anxiety-like behavior (elevated plus maze) or long-term memory (24-h novel object recognition). Subchronic THC treatment (1 and 3 mg-kg-1, i.p.) provided sustained relief of mechanical hypersensitivity but led to tolerance in cold hypersensitivity in HbSS mice.

Together, the findings identify THC as a possible therapeutic option for the management of chronic pain in SCD. Further research is warranted to elucidate its mechanism of action and possible interaction with other cannabis constituents. 

Significance Statement The study explores THC’s efficacy in alleviating pain in sickle cell disease (SCD) using a humanized mouse model. Findings indicate that acute THC administration reduces mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in SCD mice without impacting emotional and cognitive dysfunction. Subchronic THC treatment offers sustained relief of mechanical hypersensitivity but leads to cold hypersensitivity tolerance. These results offer insights into THC’s potential as an alternative pain management option in SCD, highlighting both its benefits and limitations.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38955494/

“The results indicate that acute THC administration alleviates mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in HbSS mice in a dose-dependent manner without affecting emotional and cognitive dysfunction also present in these mice.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022356524178147

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The Use of Tetrahydrocannabinol Is Associated with an Increase in Survival Time in Palliative Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study

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A large retrospective multicenter study of 9,419 palliative cancer patients found that THC use was associated with longer survival. The researchers reported the strongest association among patients receiving more than 4.7 mg of THC per day.

In patients who survived between 7 and 100 days, median survival was 40 days in the THC group compared with 25 days in patients who did not receive THC. The study also examined THC alongside palliative-care treatment rather than as a replacement for standard care.

These findings add an important human-data signal to the growing research on cannabinoids in cancer care. While the study was observational, the association between THC use and longer survival makes this a significant finding for palliative oncology and cannabinoid research.

“Introduction: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is often prescribed for ambulatory palliative patients to improve sleep quality and appetite and to reduce anxiety, stress, and pain. However, it is not known if THC has also an effect on the mortality of these patients.

Method: The objective was the impact of THC on mortality of ambulatory palliative patients. For this purpose, data from the palliative treatment documentation from 5 ambulatory palliative care teams in Brandenburg, Germany were used for this analysis. Survival time was calculated for 3 groups of patients: (1) without THC; (2) with THC in a low dosage (≤4.7 mg per day); and (3) THC in higher doses (≥4.7 mg per day). The analysis was done for 2 cohorts of patients. Cohort 1: all patients with a survival time of at least 7 days after inclusion in specialized ambulatory palliative care (SAPC) and cohort 2: a subgroup of patients with a survival time between 7 and 100 days. Kaplan-Meier curves were created, and multivariate analysis was done to investigate the impact of THC on mortality.

Results: A total of 9,419 patients with a survival time of at least 7 days after inclusion in SAPC were included in the analysis (cohort 1). 7,085 among them had a survival time between 7 and 100 days (cohort 2). In both cohorts, survival time was significantly prolonged by THC, but only when the daily THC dose was above the median of 4.7 mg. Survival time was 15 days longer in cohort 2 (40 vs. 25 days), when more than 4.7 mg THC were prescribed per day.

Conclusion: Use of THC is associated with a significant increase in survival time in ambulatory palliative patients which survive longer than 7 days the initiation of THC prescription and which use of THC >4.7 mg/day.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38655402/

“Thus, in view of its significant prolongation of patient survival time, THC therapy should be included as part of the first-line therapy for ambulatory palliative patients.”

https://karger.com/mca/article/7/1/59/896816/The-Use-of-Tetrahydrocannabinol-Is-Associated-with

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