NIH Grant Funds Study on Cannabis’s Impact on Cancer Immunotherapy
- The University of Buffalo (UB) has received a $3.2 million grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct a year-long study on the medicinal effects of cannabis on immunotherapy for cancer treatment. The university will collaborate with Thomas Jefferson University and Oregon Health and Science University, each of which will recruit 450 cancer patients being treated with immunotherapy.
- Cannabis is used by an estimated 40% of cancer patients as a treatment option, cited to improve sleep, mood, and relieve pain. The study will explore the potential benefits and harms of cannabis use for patients undergoing immunotherapy, as well as whether access to cannabis can reduce health disparities. The study will include both cannabis users and non-users, evaluating medical records, patient outcomes, blood samples, and the impact of neighborhood disadvantage on outcomes.
- Despite cannabis containing anti-inflammatory properties, there is concern it might suppress immune function and impact the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Principal investigator Rebecca Ashare highlighted the need for evidence to inform the increasing acceptance of cannabis and immunotherapy as therapeutic options in oncology. The National Cancer Institute has expressed interest in supporting research into cannabis’s relationship with cancer treatment, potentially leading to its recommendation as a treatment tool.
NIH National Cancer Institute Grants $3.2 Million for Cannabis and Cancer Immunotherapy Study
The University of Buffalo (UB) has been awarded a $3.2 million grant from the NIH National Cancer Institute to conduct research on the medicinal impact of cannabis on cancer immunotherapy treatment. This research aims to understand how cannabis influences traditional cancer treatment and whether it can reduce health disparities.
Research Details and Partnership
A UB psychiatrist will utilize the grant funding in a year-long study to explore how cannabis use affects cancer treatment. The study will take place in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University and Oregon Health and Science University. Each institution will recruit 450 cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy, a treatment with fewer side effects than chemotherapy, designed to enhance the body’s natural defenses.
Cannabis Use Among Cancer Patients
According to UB, approximately 40% of cancer patients use cannabis to aid sleep, elevate mood, and alleviate pain. This study, underwritten by the $3.2 million federal grant, will delve into the effects of cannabis during immunotherapy treatment and whether access to medical marijuana helps minimize health disparities.
The Need for Long-Term Studies
Principal investigator Rebecca Ashare expresses concern about the lack of long-term studies assessing cannabis use in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy, despite its legalization in 37 states and Washington, D.C. She also notes potential concerns that cannabis might reduce immunotherapy efficacy and emphasizes the necessity of this study as a step towards a broader understanding of cannabis use in oncology.
Study Methodology and Goals
For the study, half of the participants will use their own cannabis products, while the rest will be non-users. Researchers will examine medical records, patient outcomes, and blood samples over a year, exploring the impact of neighborhood disadvantage on cannabis use and immunotherapy outcomes. Ashare believes this research could ultimately improve patient care and safety by learning if access to cannabis reduces health disparities.
The Future of Cannabis in Cancer Treatment
The National Cancer Institute is keen to support research examining the relationship between cannabis and cancer treatment, hopeful that it could lead to healthcare professionals recommending cannabis as a part of their patients’ treatment plans.
Reference
- Jaeger, K. Federal Health Agency Awards $3.2 Million Grant To Study Impact Of Marijuana On Cancer Immunotherapy Treatment https://www.marijuanamoment.net/federal-health-agency-awards-3-2-million-grant-to-study-impact-of-marijuana-on-cancer-immunotherapy-treatment/ (accessed Nov 1, 2023).
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