Second UK cancer patient treated with Apollon’s medical cannabis products

A second UK patient is set to receive medical cannabis treatment at the International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute in Jamaica this month.

The company behind the establishment of the International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute (ICCPI)  in Jamaica, has revealed it is experiencing demand from overseas patients looking to receive medical cannabis treatment at the facility.

Later this month a second UK patient will be admitted to the institute, where therapies include cannabis products proven to be effective at killing cancer cells.

Apollon Formularies, a UK-based pharmaceutical company, announced the official opening of the ICCPI in the Jamaican capital of Kingston on 3 February.

The facility will specialise in complementary and alternative medical treatments  for cancer patients, including Apollon’s proprietary medical cannabis products.

Last year the company reported in a press release that third-party testing showed that the formulations were “particularly effective” in killing living HER2+ cancer cells, the cause of around 20 percent of all breast cancers.

Further lab results also demonstrated that the products were effective in killing almost 100 per cent of living hormone-sensitive and hormone-resistant prostate cancer cells.

Apollon welcomed the first cancer patients to its existing facilities in Jamaica in December 2021 and is now expanding access via two facilities located in Negril and Kingston.

In a company statement, Paul Burke, CEO Apollon Formularies Jamaica, said: “Our International Cancer Institute is one of a kind and I am proud to see our hard work pay off. Following our remarkable 3D cell culture test results and the expansion of our production facility, this next step will help Apollon compete on a world class level whilst providing our patients with the treatment and expert care needed.”

In addition to treating international and local Jamaican patients, ICCPI physicians will soon begin clinical trials on these medical cannabis products, with oversight from the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica.

Hon. Dr Norman Dunn MP, state minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, commented: “It is my great pleasure to be part of today’s landmark occasion for Apollon Formularies as you open Jamaica’s first International Cancer and Chronic Pain Institute which has been established to offer complimentary plant-based medicine and to carry on clinical trials on cancer treatment formulations.

“From all accounts, the formulations have undergone rigorous third-party testing from esteemed pharmaceutical testing labs. I want to congratulate in particular Dr Stephen Barnhill and Dr Dingel Spence, Paul Burke and the rest of the team here at Apollon Formularies for your vision, tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit.” 

The evidence?

While there may be anecdotal reports, it is worth noting that to date there is no robust clinical evidence of the effectiveness of any cannabinoids in the treatment of cancer.    

The findings reported above did not come from a peer-reviewed journal and more research is needed to determine the role that cannabis could play in the treatment of cancer.

Dr Simon Erridge, head of research and access at Sapphire Medical Clinic, commented: “Whilst there is an appreciable excitement about some of the results seen in laboratory studies on cancer cells and in animals, there is no robust clinical evidence to support cannabis-based medicinal products as a treatment for cancer. Patients being treated for cancer should always consult their oncologist before making any changes to their treatment regimen.”

Patients are always advised to speak to their GP or medical professional about their healthcare.

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