Cannabis use and immunotherapy for cancer patients: long-term effects
Official title: Assessing benefits and harms of cannabis use in patients treated with immunotherapy for cancer: a prospective cohort study
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11397515 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We’re studying how cannabis use affects people with cancer who are receiving immune-based treatments over a year.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $632,414 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA286811-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397515 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cancer who are being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and who have used or are considering using cannabis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not using cannabis or not undergoing immunotherapy may see limited relevance to their care.
What this research studies
This study follows 450 cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors across multiple sites for 12 months to understand how cannabis use relates to immune function, side effects, and disease progression. It builds on past research and uses patient-reported information and clinical data to track cannabis use and health outcomes over time. The goal is to provide clearer, real-world guidance for patients considering cannabis during immunotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could offer safer, more informed choices about cannabis use during cancer immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cross-sectional studies show notable cannabis use among cancer patients, with higher rates among those on immunotherapy; this study extends to longitudinal data.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ashare, Rebecca — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Ashare, Rebecca
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cannabis use and its effects for people getting immunotherapy for cancer
This project follows people with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments to learn how using cannabis affects symptoms, immune health, and disease course.
-
Understanding the effects of cannabis use in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy
This study is looking at how using cannabis might help or hurt cancer patients who are getting immunotherapy, and it will follow 450 patients for a year to see how it affects their health and treatment.
-
Hemp-derived CBD for reducing cannabis use in high-THC concentrate users
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial tests whether hemp-derived CBD can help adults who mainly use high-potency cannabis concentrates reduce their cannabis use.
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Terminal cannabinoid CB1 receptor changes in schizophrenia and cannabis use
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Cannabis policies and prenatal cannabis use: how laws affect moms and babies
This grant studies how changes in recreational cannabis laws influence cannabis use during pregnancy and health outcomes for mothers and children.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.