World-first cannabis trial for brain tumour patients

A BRISBANE-based researcher has teamed up with neurosurgeon Charlie Teo to conduct a groundbreaking medicinal cannabis trial in patients with aggressive forms of brain cancers.

A BRISBANE-based researcher has teamed up with neurosurgeon Charlie Teo to conduct a world-first medicinal cannabis trial in brain cancer patients.

Complementary medicine researcher Janet Schloss said the study would investigate whether oral medicinal cannabis could affect tumour growth.

She said up to 82 adults with high-grade gliomas — a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer — would be enlisted in the trial, funded by a $500,000 grant from BioCeuticals, an Australian vitamin company.

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The study will test two formulas of liquid medicinal cannabis, one with more tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

Half the patients will receive the high-THC product over three months and the other half the low. They will also receive standard treatment and undergo testing every four weeks.

Queensland-based complementary medicine researcher Dr Janet Schloss. Picture: Peter Wallis

Brain scans will be done before they start and again at three months. The results will be compared to past brain cancer patients, matched for age, gender and disease type.

Dr Schloss, the trial co-ordinator at Queensland’s Endeavour College of Natural Health, said it was the first in the world to examine tolerance and tumour effect from an oral form of medicinal cannabis with THC in adults with glioma.

“We’ll (also) be looking at whether medicinal cannabis can improve quality of life by reducing symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting.”

Professor Teo, who will lead patient recruitment, said: “We want to cure brain cancer and support trying anything.”

Patients who wish to take part in the trial can email [e-mail] or phone [phone].