Cancer Research UK updates guidance on medical cannabis

Experts have welcomed new guidance from Cancer Research UK on medical cannabis as a treatment, which includes the charity’s recommendations for moving forward with research.

Cancer Research UK has updated its guidance on medical cannabis following delays due to the pandemic. In a blog post published last week (May 13), the charity compiled recent research and ongoing trials to summarise the evidence so far.

The charity said the article aims to provide up-to-date, evidence-based information on cannabis and cancer and combat “misleading” claims made online.

Although the charity made it clear that it does not have an organisational policy on the legal status of cannabis, its use as a recreational drug or its medical use for diseases other than cancer, it said it is supportive of “properly conducted scientific research into cannabis and its derivatives that could benefit cancer patients”.

The article also stated that Cancer Research UK will continue to monitor developments in the fields and evidence as it emerges.

“The current consensus is that, right now, there isn’t a large enough body of evidence to prove that cannabis (or any of its active compounds or derivatives) can reliably treat any form of cancer but the medical use of cannabis to treat cancer-related chronic pain is approved in the UK,” the charity said.

However it did say that there is “good evidence” that cannabinoids could be beneficial in managing pain and side effects linked to cancer treatment.

But while it is still exercising caution, contrary to previous statements from the charity which encouraged patients not to use cannabis-based products, Cancer Research’s renewed position is more positive.

Dr Wai Liu, who researches the use of cannabis for treating cancer at St George’s University,  welcomed the article, calling it a “logical step” for the charity.

“It is a well-rounded piece that I suppose is a logical response to the general increase in noise and chatter that is happening in the UK and other countries,” Dr Liu told Cannabis Health.

“The narrative has to change; the previous position that there was absolutely no evidence for using cannabinoids has inadvertently become a distraction and the repeated statements that they should not be used only served to make people think there was a hidden agenda.”

The article also stated that clinical trials are needed to effectively test the possible benefits of cannabinoids in cancer treatment. According to Dr Liu, the lab-based studies that have already been published should be enough to warrant clinical trials.

“The science shows cannabinoids such as THC and CBD have anticancer properties in lab-based and simple animal studies,” he said.

“These models and the results from them have usually been sufficient to support the call for clinical trials.

“However, [Cancer Research UK] has not been forthcoming for reasons that may be more commercial than clinical.  So, when they have generally not happened, some people have become frustrated. Anecdotal reports filling the web-space of action only adds fuel to fire that is the belief that cannabinoids are being held back.”

In a series of FAQs that close the statement, Cancer Research UK addressed some of these beliefs, including the myth that cancer charities and ‘big pharma’ are deliberately hiding or ignoring the potential of cannabis as a treatment.

“As a research-based organisation, we want to see reliable scientific evidence to support claims made about any cancer treatment, be it conventional or alternative,” the article states.

“This is vital because lives are at stake. Some people may think that a cancer patient has nothing to lose by trying an alternative treatment, but there are big risks.”

Dr Liu agreed with this sentiment, believing that whatever the outcome might be from clinical trials, the results will be positive for those suffering from cancer.

“I for one, support the call for a clinical trial, not only because I think it will be useful, but because it is only after a fully-powered clinical trial that we will know once and for all whether cannabinoids have a therapeutic role to play in patients with cancer,” he said.

“As I see it, whatever the outcome, the result will be positive – that is, if the results show cannabinoids have no effect, it can then be put to bed, and people can then focus on other drugs that can help in the disease management. However, if the results are positive, patients will then have another drug that may help their case.”

In addition to drawing attention to its current and past support for studies into cannabinoids, the charity said there is “no reason” that future research proposals would not be financed, provided the application meets the charity’s high standards for funding.

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