Analyzing the medical use of cannabis for cancer patients: a critical perspective

Rushin Patel; Mrunal Patel; Zalak  Patel; Himanshu Kavani; Darshil Patel; Safia Shaikh

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20240644

Authors

Rushin Patel Department of Internal Medicine, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, CA, USA
Mrunal Patel Department of Internal Medicine, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, CA, USA
Zalak Patel Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Riverside, CA, USA
Himanshu Kavani Department of Internal Medicine, Geisinger Community Medical Center, PA, USA
Darshil Patel Clinical Research Program, Rush University, IL, USA
Safia Shaikh Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, MO, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20240644

Keywords:

Cannabis, Cannabinoids, Cancer treatment, THC, CBD, Symptom management, Pharmacological interactions, Administration routes, Oncology

Abstract

The utilization of cannabis in oncology presents a multifaceted approach to addressing the complex challenges associated with cancer treatment. With roots tracing back to ancient medicinal practices, cannabis contains numerous compounds, including cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. These interactions offer potential therapeutic benefits, ranging from antiemetic and analgesic effects to the inhibition of cancer growth processes. While clinical evidence supports the efficacy of cannabinoids in managing symptoms and enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients, caution is warranted due to potential interactions with conventional medications. Understanding the mechanisms of action, optimal administration routes, and potential side effects is crucial for integrating cannabis into personalized cancer care plans. By navigating these considerations thoughtfully, medical practitioners can harness the therapeutic potential of cannabis to complement traditional cancer treatments and improve patient outcomes in the field of oncology.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biography

Mrunal Patel, Department of Internal Medicine, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, CA, USA

References

Larsen C, Shahinas J. Dosage, efficacy, and safety of cannabidiol administration in adults: A Systematic review of human trials. J Clin Med Res. 2020;12(3):129-41.

Abrams DI. Cannabis, cannabinoids and Cannabis-Based medicines in cancer care. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2022;21:153473542210817.

Charitos IA, Candela R, Santacroce L, Bottalico L. The Cannabis Spread throughout the Continents and its Therapeutic Use in History. Endocrine Metabol Immune Disord. 2021;21(3):407-17.

Bar-Sela G, Vorobeichik M, Drawsheh S, Omer A, Goldberg V, Muller E. The Medical Necessity for Medicinal Cannabis: Prospective, Observational study evaluating the treatment in cancer patients on supportive or palliative care. Evidence-based Complementary Alternat Med. 2013;1-8.

De La Harpe A, Beukes N, Frost CL. CBD activation of TRPV1 induces oxidative signaling and subsequent ER stress in breast cancer cell lines. Biotechnol Applied Biochem. 2021;69(2):420-30.

Fonseca BM, Correia-Da-Silva G, Teixeira N. Cannabinoid-induced cell death in endometrial cancer cells: involvement of TRPV1 receptors in apoptosis. J Physiol Biochem. 2018;74(2):261-72.

Tomko AM, Whynot EG, Ellis L, Dupré DJ. Anti-Cancer potential of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids present in cannabis. Cancers. 2020;12(7):1985.

Sexton M, García JMP, Jatoi A, Clark CS, Wallace M. The Management of Cancer Symptoms and Treatment-Induced Side Effects with Cannabis or Cannabinoids. J National Cancer Institute Monographs. 2021;(58):86-98.

Guggisberg J, Schumacher ML, Gilmore G, Zylla D. Cannabis as an anticancer agent: A review of clinical data and assessment of case reports. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2022;7(1):24-33.

Parker LA, Rock EM, Limebeer CL. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids. Brit J Pharmacol. 2011;163(7):1411-22.

Rock EM, Limebeer CL, Pertwee RG, Mechoulam R, Parker LA. Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol, cannabidiolic acid, and cannabidiolic acid methyl ester as treatments for nausea and vomiting. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2021;6(4):266-74.

Gorzo A, Havași A, Spînu Ș, Oprea AL, Burz C, Sur D. Practical Considerations for the Use of Cannabis in Cancer Pain Management-What a Medical Oncologist should know. J Clin Med. 2022;11(17):5036.

Nigro E, Formato M, Crescente G, Daniele A. Cancer Initiation, Progression and Resistance: Are Phytocannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. Promising Compounds? Molecules. 2021;26(9):2668.

Kovalchuk O, Kovalchuk I. Cannabinoids as anticancer therapeutic agents. Cell Cycle. 2020;19(9):961-89.

Tomko AM, Whynot EG, Ellis L, Dupré DJ. Anti-Cancer potential of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids present in cannabis. Cancers. 2020;12(7):1985.

Cummings DE, Shannon MH. Roles for ghrelin in the regulation of appetite and body weight. Arch Surg. 2003;138(4):389.

Razmovski-Naumovski V, Luckett T, Amgarth-Duff I, Agar M. Efficacy of medicinal cannabis for appetite-related symptoms in people with cancer: A systematic review. Palliative Med. 2022;36(6):912-27.

Bodine M. Medical cannabis use in oncology. StatPearls-NCBI Bookshelf. 2023.

Johnson S, Ziegler J, August DA. Cannabinoid use for appetite stimulation and weight gain in cancer care: Does recent evidence support an update of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism clinical guidelines? Nutrition Clin Pract. 2021;36(4):793-807.

Woerdenbag HJ, Olinga P, Kok EA, Brugman DP, Van Ark UF, Ramcharan AS et al. Potential, Limitations and Risks of Cannabis-Derived Products in cancer treatment. Cancers. 2023;15(7):2119.

May MB, Glode AE. Dronabinol for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting unresponsive to antiemetics. Cancer management and research. 2016:49-55.

Opitz B, Ostroff M, Whitman AC. The potential clinical implications and importance of drug interactions between anticancer agents and cannabidiol in patients with cancer. J Pharmacy Pract. 2019;33(4):506-12.

Nugent SM, Meghani SH, Rogal SS, Merlin JS. Medical cannabis use among individuals with cancer: An unresolved and timely issue. Cancer, 2020;126(9):1832-6.

Alsherbiny MA, Li CG. Medicinal Cannabis-Potential drug interactions. Medicines. 2018;6(1):3.

Foster B, Abramovici H, Harris CS. Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Kinetics and interactions. Am J Med. 2019;132(11):1266-70.

Victorson D, McMahon M, Horowitz B, Glickson S, Parker B, Mendoza-Temple L. Exploring cancer survivors’ attitudes, perceptions, and concerns about using medical cannabis for symptom and side effect management: A qualitative focus group study. Complementary Therapies Med. 2019;47:102204.

Vinette B, Côté J, El-Akhras A, Mrad H, Chicoine G, Bilodeau K. Routes of administration, reasons for use, and approved indications of medical cannabis in oncology: a scoping review. BMC Cancer. 2022;22(1).

Cherkasova V, Wang B, Gerasymchuk M, Fiselier A, Kovalchuk O, Kovalchuk I. Use of cannabis and cannabinoids for treatment of cancer. Cancers. 2022;14(20):5142.

Pyrolysis of Drugs of Abuse Individually and Adulterated: Implications on Medicine and Forensics-ProQuest. Available at: https://search. proquest.com/openview/c582c48634afe025ef8ec5fb53c84eff/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y. Accessed on 25 December, 2023.