GW Pharmaceuticals Announces Results from Cancer Trial

On Feb. 7, 2017 GW Pharmaceuticals announced the results from a small Phase II study with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in 21 patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The study showed that patients with documented recurrent GBM treated with THC:CBD had an 83% one-year survival rate compared with 53% for patients in the placebo cohort. Median survival for the THC:CBD group was greater than 550 days, compared with 369 days in the placebo group. However, two patients in each group discontinued treatment due to adverse events, reducing the sample size.

GW has received Orphan Drug Designation from FDA and EMA for THC:CBD in the treatment of glioma. In glioma, THC and CBD appear to act via distinct signaling pathways. The combination of THC and CBD showed efficacy in various animal models of glioma, particularly when used in combination with temozolomide, the company said in a press announcement. According to GW, initial in-vitro studies showed that the combined administration of THC and CBD led to a reduction in the viability of U87MG glioma cells when compared to the administration of each cannabinoid individually. The co-administration of temozolomide with THC and CBD had further effects, causing a significant reduction in cell viability.

Source: GW Pharmaceuticals