Cannabinoids In Treatment Research Articles

Potential Use of Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: Cannabinoid extracts may have anticancer properties, which can improve cancer treatment outcomes. The aim of this review is to determine the potentially utility of cannabinoids in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.Methods: A literature review focused on the biological effects of cannabinoids in cancer treatment, with a focus on pancreatic cancer, was conducted. In vitro and in vivo studies that investigated the effects of cannabinoids in pancreatic cancer were identified and potential mechanisms of action were assessed.Results: Cannabinol receptors have been identified in pancreatic cancer with several studies showing in vitro antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects. The main active substances found in cannabis plants are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). There effects are predominately mediated through, but not limited to cannabinoid receptor-1, cannabinoid receptor-2, and G-protein-coupled receptor 55 pathways. In vitro studies consistently demonstrated tumor growth-inhibiting effects with CBD, THC, and synthetic derivatives. Synergistic treatment effects have been shown in two studies with the combination of CBD/synthetic cannabinoid receptor ligands and chemotherapy in xenograft and genetically modified spontaneous pancreatic cancer models. There are, however, no clinical studies to date showing treatment benefits in patients with pancreatic cancer.Conclusions: Cannabinoids may be an effective adjunct for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Data on the anticancer effectiveness of various cannabinoid formulations, treatment dosing, precise mode of action, and clinical studies are lacking.

THC Is Ineffective for Chronic Abdominal Pain

The efficacy of cannabinoids in treatment of chronic abdominal pain is unclear. In the current phase II study, 65 patients were randomized to receive delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral tablet form or placebo for relief of chronic abdominal pain following surgery or from chronic pancreatitis. The THC dosage was 3 mg three times daily for 5 days, followed by 5 mg …

High‐quality evidence lacking for cannabinoids in medical treatment

A review and meta‐analysis of studies of cannabinoids for a variety of medical conditions has found that while symptom improvement was common in the studies, it was less likely to see a statistically significant impact of cannabinoid treatment. The highest‐quality evidence seen in the 79 analyzed trials was for use of cannabinoids in the treatment of chronic pain and spasticity. The vast majority of the trials examined cannabinoid drugs and not smoked marijuana, leading the researchers to conclude that more studies of cannabis itself should be conducted. Results of the review and meta‐analysis were published in the June 23–30, 2015, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The Potential for Clinical Use of Cannabinoids in Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cannabinoids, the constituents of the marijuana plant and their analogs, have not only neurobehavioral but also cardiovascular effects. Great advances in the last couple of decades have led to better understanding of the physiological effects of the cannabinoids and of their role in various cardiovascular pathologies. The potential therapeutic use of cannabinoids in various cardiac diseases, such as ischemic injury, heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias, has been studied in animal models. The purpose of this article is to review the physiological cardiovascular properties of cannabinoids and to summarize the knowledge related to their potential therapeutic use.

Reassessment of the role of cannabinoids in the management of pain

The aim of this article is to assess the role of cannabinoids in the treatment of acute and chronic pain in humans. Very few clinical trials looking at the analgesic effects of cannabinoids in the acute pain settings have been performed. Three recent studies have evaluated the oral administration of synthetic cannabinoids in postoperative pain. At low doses cannabinoids are not different from placebo, whereas at high doses they may be associated with adverse effects or even worsening of pain intensity. In chronic pain patients, the safety and analgesic efficacy of a number of cannabinoid compounds have recently been evaluated in several clinical trials in several chronic pain conditions. While the small size of the trials and the relatively short duration of follow-up limits broad generalization, to date there is increasing evidence that cannabinoids are safe and effective for refractory chronic pain conditions including neuropathic pain associated with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and peripheral neuropathy associated with HIV/AIDS. The precise role of cannabinoids in pain treatment still needs further evaluation. Cannabinoid compounds may be more effective in the context of chronic neuropathic pain than for the management of acute pain.

Cannabinoide bei Multipler Sklerose - therapeutisch sinnvoll?

For centuries extracts from the Cannabis sativa plant have been used for recreational use and as remedies. Anecdotal reports from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experiencing relief of their spasticity and pain after smoking marihuana have prompted discussions about a potential therapeutic application of cannabis preparations in MS. Only recently the first large, multicenter, double-blind, placebo controlled study was conducted evaluating the use of cannabinoids for treatment of spasticity and other symptoms related to MS. Based on this trial and previous uncontrolled observations together with insights from basic research and animal experiments there is reasonable evidence for the therapeutical employment of cannabinoids in the treatment of MS related symptoms. Furthermore, data are arising that cannabinoids have immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties. However, results from clinical trials do not allow the recommendation for the general use of cannabinoids in MS. This article summarizes the present knowledge of clinical and experimental research regarding the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for the treatment of MS.

Cannabinoids did not reduce muscle spasticity in stable multiple sclerosis

Source Citation Zajicek J, Fox P, Sanders H, et al. Cannabinoids for treatment of spasticity and other symptoms related to multiple sclerosis (CAMS study): multicentre randomised placebo-controlled...